The large number of high school students that will come to see Wayne Blair’s production of the Bard’s Romeo and Juliet should be entertained by Enoch’s fresh take on the classic romantic tale.
Blair’s production sets Romeo and Juliet in the present time, in outback Australia, with the two leads coming from rival Aboriginal families. This is a fast, action based, lean production, running ninety minutes straight through. Blair’s production hits all the right notes in the play’s big scenes.
My pick of the cast was WAAPA graduate Sophie Ross, a sensual, memorable Juliet. Ursula Yovich was warm as toast as Juliet’s devoted Nurse. Lucia Mastrantone was an exciting, charismatic Mercutio, and Michael Habib, a strong, masculine presence as Capulet.
Blair’s creative team fleshed out his vision for the play well. Jacob Nash’s set worked well – far stage left hung a stunning large moon over-looking the action, mid stage left was a large platform on castors which worked well in the balcony scenes, a bright, starry sky lit up the back of the stage, and well worn, get-about car, sat stage right. Luiz Pampolha lit the stage well and Steve Francis’s sound design gave the production a sharp edge.
