Continuing his newfound tenure at the Garrick Theatre, Kenneth Branagh (My Week With Marilyn) will be putting his own stamp on the classic Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo And Juliet. Starring Downton Abbey’s rising star, Lily James (Pride And Prejudice And Zombies), alongside Richard Madden, another up-and-coming actor who you’ll probably recognise as Robb Stark from Game Of Thrones, it’s shaping up to be another exciting production from Branagh’s debut season.
Dates, times and tickets
Opening at the Garrick Theatre on the 12th May 2016, it will run for three months until the 13th August 2016, making it one of next summer’s must-see West End plays. Performances will be Monday-Saturday at 7:30pm with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm. Tickets range between. Some of the dates have already sold out for the highly anticipated production, so if you’re planning on attending you might want to book up early.
Story
There probably isn’t anyone out there who doesn’t know the story behind Shakespeare’s most famous love story, but it will be interesting to see how Branagh delivers the tragedy. While the framework of the play is always pretty much the same with the two young lovers from warring families beating their tortuous path to the sad and bitter end, there have been a number of different takes on how of how the story is told. There’s been everything from the traditional to the rebooted West Side Story and Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 twisted modern day movie adaptation, and with so many productions before it, surely there’s an expectation for Kenneth Branagh to do something different too.
Cast
The cast looks pretty impressive from the initial details released on the play, with Lily James taking on the role of Juliet and Richard Madden playing her rose-crossed lover Romeo. The pair have worked together previously in the 2015 live action adaptation of Disney’s Cinderella, playing the eponymous mouse fancier and her princely love interest, so they should have a good connection ahead of opening day at The Garrick.
However, in a somewhat tangential move, Branagh won’t be continuing his youthful casting with the role of Mercutio, who will be played by septuagenarian Derek Jacobi. This is a pretty big hind that the production will be a new take on the classic tragedy with old meets young in the roles of Romeo and his friend and confidant, Mercutio. Jacobi has worked with Branagh previously in My Week With Marilyn as well as starring alongside Lily and Madden in Cinderella, so again there should be an element of connection ahead of the first performance.
We’ll be surprised if Kenneth Branagh himself isn’t announced as one of the cast members before too long. He’s already confirmed to star in his production of The Winter’s Tale at The Garrick Theatre, and with so many roles to fill for Romeo And Juliet, it probably makes sense for him to dust off his acting shoes again.
Production
In addition to Branagh directing the play, the production will also benefit from the might of Scottish composer, Patrick Doyle. The two will be continuing their long-time collaboration with eachother, following the success of the 1996 film adaptation of Hamlet. Set and costume design will be spearheaded by Christopher Oram, who has a wealth of experience in big stage productions ranging from Wolf Hall to Macbeth and The Cripple Of Innishmaan.
First impressions
As with all of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s opening season at The Garrick Theatre, we’re expecting great things from Romeo And Juliet. It’s got a wealth of Shakespearean experience behind it, along with an interesting cast list with Lily James, Richard Madden and Derek Jacobi, so it should prove to be one of 2016’s most popular productions with both the theatre going public and critics alike.
For more information or to buy tickets visit https://www.garricktheatre.org/.
