Entertainment

Merely Theatre reflects changing faces of Romeo & Juliet

Gender-blind theatrical production of Romeo & Juliet sees male and female cast members alternate roles
Gender-blind theatrical production of Romeo & Juliet sees male and female cast members alternate roles Gender-blind theatrical production of Romeo & Juliet sees male and female cast members alternate roles

SWEATY, stripped-back Shakespeare is on the menu in a new production of Romeo & Juliet currently touring the north of Ireland.

Young love in all its raw and savage beauty is presented by English company Merely Theatre, which is known for presenting a visceral theatrical experience, while staying true to the original text of Shakespeare.

In this production of the classic text, five actors take on multiple roles. Merely's commitment to gender-blind practice means actors rehearse in male-female pairs, "generating twice the amount of ideas for each role, while halving the rehearsal time for each individual". In practice, this means a man and a woman play each set of parts alternately across the venues on the tour, so some audiences may encounter a male Juliet.

:: Romeo & Juliet performs at Lisburn's Island Arts Centre on March 30, Down Arts Centre on March 31 and Bangor's Space Theatre on April 1. Merelytheatre.co.uk