LUDS’ Romeo & Juliet: A Review

Last week saw another stellar production from LUDS. Directed by Jessica Morris and two years in the making, this version of Romeo and Juliet brought Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy to the Stanley Theatre for the first time. Thursday’s sold-out opening performance proved a fresh retelling of this well-loved story, translating the doomed youth of fair Verona to a talented cast of students.

A tragic story of love, loss and importance of family in the face of division, Romeo and Juliet tells of the long-standing feud between the quarrelling Montagues and Capulets, and of two star-crossed lovers caught in the crossfire. From thrilling fight sequences to moments of tenderness, this production was clearly a passion project for both cast and crew, the result of hard work and a genuine love for the creative process.

Is it possible for a play to give you FOMO? Because the sheer energy and joy infused into the worldbuilding of the first act made the fate of these beloved characters in the second all the more heartbreaking. Each member of the cast was able to show their range as the tone gradually darkened and the characters began to grasp the weight of their choices. Well-crafted choreography and thoughtful directorial choices blended together to provide a balance of tragedy, comedy, and romance intrinsic to Romeo and Juliet.

Our leads (Rhys Mulligan and Lara Foster) both carried their roles with a clear sense of emotional responsibility and understanding of the text, treating the weight of the story with the care it demands whilst making the challenge seem effortless. They shared an equal dedication to portraying the romantic and youthful sides to their characters, allowing these qualities to evolve into defiance and heartbreak on account of their love. Mulligan’s Romeo, with all the floppy haired charm of a boyband member, brought a refreshing boldness and passion to the role. Commanding the stage, he filled the theatrical space with an emotional and corporeal energy that felt boundless. Opposite her Romeo, Lara Foster sparkled, beautifully underpinning the devastating and complex sides of Juliet. Truly inhabiting and investing meaning in every word, her performance wove together a sense of courage, hope and naivety, grounding Shakespeare’s language in real, contemporary emotion.

Every casting choice felt meaningful; while Romeo and Juliet’s relationship undoubtedly shone, this was unexpectedly a play of duos. The strength of the production lay not only in its central romance, but in the friendships and family dynamics that so often stole the show. The scenes shared between Gabriella Sergi’s Benvolio and Red Robinson-Stanley’s Mercutio was a personal highlight, their friendship translating beautifully through their performance and enriching the wider ensemble moments. Sergi continuously delivered Shakespeare’s words as if they were her own, as Robinson-Stanley fearlessly took on both the light and darkness of Mercutio, right up to his final moments. Alongside Mulligan, the two shared a natural confidence and a believable bond that put the comedy in ‘tragicomedy’ as ‘ancient grudge’ broke into ‘new mutiny’.

Furthermore, the chemistry between our leads and the guiding parental figures in their lives was especially poignant, always there to remind us of the violent world in which they are victims of. Mulligan’s relationship to Friar Lawrence as played by Ben Mellor in his LUDS debut, was a poignant Mirror to that of Juliet and The Nurse; Fran Peace giving a lovely performance alongside Foster in being a true friend to Juliet, granting her advice amidst crushing societal expectations. Also in the Capulet Camp, we saw James McCrea as Lord Capulet, providing us with sprinklings of sharp comedic timing and rhythm throughout, as well as playful interchanges from Hannah Edwards’ as Lady Capulet, and Mia Biddell as Paris. Notable audience favourite was Jay Meban’s Peter, who’s brilliantly delivered one-liners proved to be an example of just how timeless Shakespeare’s more light-hearted moments can be when done well. Presley Flemming’s Tybalt burned with a fierce hatred, driving the play’s escalating conflict. In contrast, Freya Woodmore as Prince Escalus offered a neutral presence and a narrative aid, always there to remind us of the bigger picture and the play’s overarching message.

Last but never least, the production design team did a wonderful job of distinguishing the two houses, utilising costumes and effective staging to demonstrate the distance between them whilst hinting at their underlying similarities. The final image was particularly memorable; the curtains draped around the bed in which Romeo and Juliet lay, marking the end of their story and in turn, ours. With the cast in splashes of deep reds and blues, the costumes made loyalties clear, cleverly incorporating everyday contemporary pieces with Shakespearean silhouettes and accessories. The same could be said for the music and sound, which shifted from club classics to a more atmospheric score, further emphasising the tension between love, levity, and tragedy that Romeo and Juliet ultimately is all about.

This was a particular production that felt right to be taken on by students, for students. Once again, huge congratulations to the LUDS team:

Cast:
Romeo Montague – Rhys Mulligan
Juliet Capulet – Lara Foster
Mercutio – Red Robinson-Stanley
Benvolio – Gabriella Sergi
Nurse – Fran Peace
Friar Lawrence – Ben Mellor
Tybalt – Presley Flemming
Lord Capulet – James McCrea
Lady Capulet/ Gregory – Hannah Edwards
Lord Montague – Tomos Jones
Prince Escalus – Freya Woodmore
Paris/ Sampson – Mia Biddell
Peter – Jay Meban
Abram/ Friar John – Anna Bradley

Crew:
Director – Jessica Morris
Assistant Director – Thomas Dench
Producer/ Sound – Ruby Howarth
Stage Manager – Charlotte Metcalfe
Assistant Stage Manager – Charlotte Smithson
Costume/ Hair/ Makeup – Alba Huergo & Iona Lillard-Griffin
Stage Hand – Zachary Wahed

All proceeds from cash sales of these programmes were sent to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity to support those affected by cancer and help to provide treatment. With over 100,000 people living with cancer in Merseyside & Cheshire, the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre provides specialist cancer treatment through its unique network of care across the region, caring for a population of 2.4 million people.

Keep an eye on future events from LUDS here: https://www.liverpoolguild.org/groups/society/luds/?srsltid=AfmBOop8BFeq4hkx3X1Xm8hQFB4yTkRTPwMPBse9s3rFb2LwYp-bYoNR