Queensland Theatre Co's Romeo & Juliet

I've been away from the theatre scene for the last 12 months after a temporary move to remote Victoria. However, I did make it back last weekend to take a look at QTC's latest production, Romeo and Juliet. I specifically made the effort to see this show as I always enjoy watching the up and coming Melanie Zanetti. While her performance hit the mark, just, I left feeling totally cheated by QTC of an original Shakespearean experience. When I go to see a professional production of Shakespeare, I expect something new and exciting - because let's face it - we all know the story. The only new element I identified was a pond-like feature on stage which could have been utilised further. What are everyone's thoughts on Shakespeare productions? Can professional theatres get away with sticking to the basics? Or do you believe new elements are what keep you going back for more? Surely there is some merit to a traditional-like performance, but really, I expected more.

I personally prefer more traditional presentations with a little room for interpretation. Having done a number of productions myself, it always surprises me that incredible scope for interpretation within a tradition presentation. For example, play Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet as a Woman and you introduce an interesting relationship between Mercutio and Benvolio. Or play Tybalt as a Fem-fatal which was both exciting and frightening.

Beyond obvious gender bending and slight adjustments of time settings, there are a great number of ways a particular section of dialogue may be given Shakespeare gives very little "direction" in the modern sense as to how to say a given line or speech. He gives clues to intent and purpose, yet how that actually comes across can vary greatly between actors. I have seen many versions of Hamlet and there has always been a rich contrast in they way that particular character is presented. This may be a little more cerebral for general audiences, I don't know, but as an actor and lover of Shakespeare, these can really change the whole feel of a show.

Personally, I find changing things too dramatically, like completely reseting the play in modern times, or establishing a modernised lingo, can completely disconnect the Shakespearian experience. That is not always the case but is more likely than not in my experience. An approach like this may only work if there is still some strong connection with the traditional essence of the story or language.

In the end, there are just an incredible number of ways you can work with Shakespeare and one way will not appeal to everyone. I am a traditionalist and prefer my Shakespeare traditional, although I am not inflexible.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Traditional

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