Shakespeare and Rap. A love story.
The original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B.
Some aspects of this new, innovative co-production of Romeo and Juliet aren’t new at all.
Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.
This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, largely unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important Plus One: rap.
Our story shines with new, original elements of rap – as well as soul and R&B. Think everyday English as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.
Romeo and Juliet is a co-production with Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire. Directed by Corey Campbell, creative director of the Belgrade, the play springs from our communities. The music elements reflect a collaboration with new company, That’s a Rap. And we’ve worked with local young people who have been taken out of mainstream education, on the production.
Together, we’ve created something unique. A Shakespearean lyrical love story – for people who love the music of the spoken word of every generation.
SCHOOLS’ RESOURCES:
Digital Learning Resource: Romeo and Juliet is accompanied by a free digital learning resource, designed to support further exploration of Shakespeare’s text in your classroom, and take you behind the scenes into the creative process of staging this production. The pack will include interviews with the members of the cast and creative team, and contain chapters on context, character, key themes, production design, and music and language.
Artwork by Feast Creative.
