Romeo and Juliet at Almeida Theatre

Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Romeo and Juliet frequently brings on a sense of foreboding through the cunning use of a minimalist stage, subtle lighting by Lee Curran and a faint pervading fog. This creates a great feeling of urgency and immediacy, resulting in a well-balanced and paced production. It’s an outstanding take on a timeless classic – rather short at just about two hours, but it hits all the right notes.

Toheeb Jimoh’s Romeo is likeable throughout, maintaining an endearingly naïve and good-humoured stance in the earlier scenes and intense emotions in the later ones. His fantastic rapport with Isis Hainsworth’s spirited and powerful Juliet carries the play, with their scenes moving from the start and maintaining a sensual intoxication until the final moments. In Frecknall’s interpretation, these are given to Juliet’s death without a final peace-making between the Capulets and the Montagues – an interesting take that does emphasise the tragedy of the couple’s story but leaves somewhat wanting a resolution in the central conflict. But that doesn’t detract from the exceptional performances of two emerging actors.

The wider cast, too, is powerful, with Jack Riddiford’s brutish Mercutio earning many laughs and Paul Higgins as Friar Lawrence and Jo McInnes as the Nurse being thoroughly pleasant. Jamie Ballard’s powerful vocal presence delivered a particularly damning portrayal of Capulet.

The production itself is fantastic. It is wonderfully broody and dark, and in-between several of the scenes there are brief dance montages that make heavy use of Prokofiev’s music. All fit neatly together and are thoroughly engaging. The costumes by Debbie Duru don’t seem to follow a particular theme, which doesn’t ground the show in a particular historical period: instead, it seems to float in its own little absurdist universe – it’s gorgeously atmospheric.

All this renders Rebecca Frecknall’s Romeo and Juliet a compelling and engaging interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces. It’s recognisably a remarkable production with standout performances, fittingly dark, and focuses on delivering the story in such a well-paced manner that each minute feels exquisite. A great success, overall.

Michael Higgs
Image: Marc Brenner

Romeo and Juliet is at Almeida Theatre from 6^th June until 29^th July 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.