Romeo and Juliet is one of the bard’s most famous plays and this summer, it’ll have its debut on the bandshell stage at Queen’s Park.
Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company has been performing Shakespeare in the Park for more than a decade, but in that time they’ve only performed comedies outdoors.
That changes this summer as they take on one of the most famous tragedies of all time.
“You can’t do very many of the tragedies in the park because they’re just not fun,” Kerri Norris, director and costume designer, told the Record. “But this is one where the romance of the story carries you all the way to the end. And because people know it so much, it just felt like it was the right time to do this one.”
They’ve chosen a unique setting for the production – the 1920’s. This means you’ll see flapper dresses but not wool suits, as it’s too hot in the park for that, Norris said.
“I do all the costumes and I’m directing the show this year, so we went with a little simpler era this time, but it’ll still look pretty spectacular in the park,” she explained.
The other major change is that Romeo and Juliet’s ages have been adjusted upwards, as Juliet is written as about 14, and Romeo about 17. Instead, they’ll be 18 and 20.
The change in setting allows Juliet Capulet a little more leeway, according to Shelby Wyminga, who is playing Juliet.
“What I’m really loving is because this is set in the 1920s, we’re able to give her a little more gumption than she usually has,” she said.
Wyminga also played Juliet in a touring production that visited British Columbian high schools last year.
“It’s been really interesting to see how much of a difference it makes – every production is going to portray her a little bit differently depending on the setting, who else is in the show, who my Romeo is,” she said.
She views Juliet as a pragmatic character.
“Juliet’s the realist of the two of them,” she said. “She has a lot more drive than a lot of people give her credit for.”
Wyminga has worked with co-star Steven Simpson, who plays Romeo Montague, before, when they were both attending Trinity Western University. Both have a bachelor in fine arts in acting.
While Juliet is the realist, Romeo pursues grand ideas, according to Simpson.
“I see Romeo as very much a person of passion and a person of great feeling, but he’s also kind of a lonely soul in the world,” he said, pointing out many of Romeo’s friends would have died in the First World War in the 1920s version of the play.
“He’s very much against the violence of war and his family is continually fighting with the Capulets,” he added. “He’s trying to find someone else who agrees with his worldview of no more violence and trying to embrace love.”
Romeo and Juliet is at Queen’s Park at the bandshell at 2 p.m. on July 21, 22, 28, 29 and Aug. 4 and 5. The performance is free.
