Shakespeare gets tuned-up with Two-Tone while Rude Boys stab each other to a rock steady beat in a skanked-up Romeo & Juliet, writes Michael Holland…
A cast of six superb performers created a multitude of sinners in a Brixton setting, but when there is a pub fight between two gangs – The Montagues and The Capulets – the simmering truce they had boils over. So, when Juliet Capulet catches the eye of Romeo Montague you know that will turn the heat right up.
Of course, when star-crossed lovers take a fancy to each other, all threats of violence, or being outcast by the family, have no impact on quelling any desire. What it does is force them into the shadows where they have their dangerous liaisons and forget all else.
Unfortunately, nobody else is willing to forget the enmity between the feuding families and it is definitely not all’s well that ends well in this Shakespearean tale of love and loss.
But while the complexities of this secret affair are played out on the stage we are treated to a stomping Ska and Reggae soundtrack that kept the action bouncing along from start to heartbreaking finish.
Each and every one of the cast stood out as a winner, no matter whose side you were on. Joey Ellis brought an appreciated seam of comedy to the coalface of despair through his three characters; Yinka Awoni mixed up the 15th century language with Caribbean patois for Friar Laurence, and pure Street as Benvolio; Fiona Skinner marched around marvellously, being angry and giving it large portions before her bad attitude got her taken out; Samuel Tracy and Laura Lake Adebisi just had to look beautiful as the eponymous young lovers, which they did – We could all see why he was willing to kill or die for her love. But for me the turn of the night was Amy Loughton playing a spivvy drug dealer (Apothecary) and the no-nonsense nurse to Juliet. She used her sing-song Welsh lilt and cheeky looks to make each of her lines hilarious.
Best of all, though, was when Amy suddenly picked up a saxophone and belted out a note-perfect One Step Beyond that elicited a brilliant ensemble dance number that had everyone in the audience bopping away with them.
The exciting direction by Nicky Allpress also ensured that this Romeo & Juliet, drenched with famous quotes, and much to our pleasure, went one step beyond the usual realms of Shakespeare.
This production is part of the Southwark Playhouse’s Shakespeare for Schools project, which will enable over 2,000 local young people to see the play for free. Not only will it potentially open the door to a love of Shakespeare to them, but will definitely get them seeking out the music that was the soundtrack to most of the audience members’ lives.
Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD until February 5th. Times: 8pm, matinees 3pm. Admission: £22, £18.
Booking: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk