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Review: Romeo and Juliet

On 9.2.2017, a chilly Friday night, we went to see the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet in Edgerton Park, New Haven for field trip. This tragedy is original by William Shakespeare and this play is directed by Raphael Massie. The main characters in this play are: Romeo by Steven Lee Johnson, Juliet by Courtney Jamison, Lord Montague by Andrew Borthwick-Leslie, Lord Capulet by Mark Sage Hamilton, Friar Lawrence by James Andreassi, Benvolio by Avery Bargar, Tybalt by Claire Warden, the Nurse by Gracy Brown, Mercutio by James Udom, Prince Escalus by tamika Pettway.

This tragedy is about there were two opposing merchant family in fair Verona. One is the Montagues, the other is the Capulets. The ruler of Verona, Prince Escalus forbid these two families killing each others. The eldest son of the Montagues Romeo is cheered by his cousin Benvolio to find somebody to love other than fickle Rosaline. When he breaks in the huge party in the Capulets, he falls in love with Juliet who is the daughter of Lord Capulet in the first sight without knowing each others’ identity. Later that night, Romeo sneaks into Capulet’s garden and discovers that Juliet is murmuring Romeo’s name in her balcony then they decides to marry each other. And then, the nurse takes Juliet to the church for officiating the marriage between Romeo and Juliet by Friar Lawrence. But all good times do not last long. Juliet’ s cousin Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel but Romeo refused. However, Romeo’s friend Mercutio thinks this is a dishonor then fights with Tybalt and has been killed. Romeo cannot control his fury and slays Tybalt. Romeo has been banished from Verona and the Lord Capulet decides that Juliet will marry Count Paris. She runs to Friar Lawrence and he gives her a potion which can let Juliet appears to dead. Juliet pretends to be a dead so the marriage turns to funeral. Romeo hears this grievous news before Friar’s messenger arrives. He buys a poison and goes to Juliet’ s tomb. He kills Count Paris at the tomb who is mourning Juliet ‘s death and commits a suicide. When Lord Montague and Lord Capulet arrives, the Friar discloses the children’ s suicide and the 2 families swear not to hate each others anymore.

In this play, the stage and the setting are set up temporary. There are 2 tall towers on the 2 sides of the stage which I guess are to amplify the sounds and to set up the lights. The 2 storey stage is suitable for both street and manor scene.

The play last famous for hundreds of years is not for no reason. The most appealing thing in the play I think is the dramatic ups and downs. From the unknown identity of each other, to the tragedy of Tybalt and Mercutio just after the pledge between Romeo and Juliet, to the fake death of Juliet and the suicide of Romeo, all these fluctuations ignite the audiences enthusiasm when they think it is gonna be an end.

The favorite character of me on the stage was the Nurse by Gracy Brown. She is the ideal actor for the role. Her great stature and uninhibited words make the figure of a real middle age maid appear on the stage. Her dramatic emotion and mood when she bring the message from Romeo to Juliet made me almost laugh out loud. Also, her loudness of speaking and the big movements on the stage help her create a figure of middle age gossiping but caring nurse. I think she works the best with other actors in the play.

This masterpiece by William Shakespeare is human being’s common cultural heritage. This version directed by Raphael Massie is my first tour on numerous classical plays. I hope to have more chance to enjoy these masterpieces in the future. In the end, I want to express my gratitude to who help to keep these kind of cultural education free.