A modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic Romeo & Juliet, this production blends multi-media, rap, and song to re-imagine the story of the tragic lovers from feuding families. It is punchy and pacy in combining video snippets of parliamentary soundbites with Nigel Farage and Priti Patel sneering at the audience that they don’t “want you here” to escalate the mounting tension between the Montague and Capulet families.
Director Corey Campbell has created an immersive hard hitting experience that straddles Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter with drill and rap beats. Sometimes the cast’s diction was not always clear, making it hard to understand everything being said – particularly when the band’s volume overtook them. And in places it felt jarring moving from classic text to contemporary English.
Nevertheless, this innovative approach brings a new depth to the angry interactions between Tybalt and Mercutio that ends in violence and triggers the lovers’ demise. The rap’s tone and performance demands a different lens to examine the passion between the couple against a political backdrop with Shakespeare’s line: “My poverty, but not will, consents”.
With the phrase sprayed in a graffiti style on the set and the ghostlike ensemble wailing about the impact of decisions upon those who are powerless, this is a haunting scene as Romeo seeks poison to drink when he learns of Juliet’s fate. It is a stark reminder of the fallout when those in power do not bend – despite inflicting pain and suffering.
Natasha Lewis is humorous in her role of the Nurse – Juliet’s confidante. Mia Khan who plays Juliet has a wonderful singing voice. Infused throughout with slick physical movement, there is zest behind the cast who perform with flair and dynamism, the rhythm of the spoken word.
NEED TO KNOW: Romeo & Juliet plays at Hackney Empire until Sat 26 Apr 2025
