Freewill Shakespeare Festival Review: Romeo and Juliet and slurpees and sneakers

Romeo and Juliet
Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park
When: June 21 – July 17, Tuesday – Sunday matinees and evenings (including Love’s Labour’s Lost)
Directed by: Marianne Copithorne
Featuring: Cayley Thomas, Hunter Cardinal, Louise Lambert, Jesse Gervais and Belinda Cornish
How much: $20 (student pricing)

It was not until Mercutio strolls onto stage with a glow stick and slurpee in hand that the audience realized this portrayal of Romeo and Juliet was perhaps unusual but also endearing.

At first glance, the Freewill Shakespeare Festival’s take on this timeless play lacks continuity with its strange combination of classic and modern interpretations. When picturing Romeo and Juliet, there are two distinct directions the mind takes: the classic portrayal — Renaissance setting and all — or its modern counterpart, see Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 rendition. This version, presented by Free Will Players, combines the two to show audiences something they may have seen separately, but likely never experienced together — a choice that, as the play progresses, proves surprisingly effective.

Half of the cast, specifically those in servant roles, dress in expected Shakespearean garb. The Capulets and the Montagues however, wear formal and business attire such as modern pencil skirts, suits, and fur collars. Juliet dresses more casually in a white flowing dress but wears a pair of sneakers. Initially, these costume choices appeared odd and inconsistent with the expectations of the tragic story but each character’s costume seemed to appropriately fit their role. The contemporary nature of their outfits matched the modernity of their actions, complementing them as they sucked on helium balloons and drank brandy.

The props used are modern as well, apart from the set. Slurpees, glow sticks, guns, flashing red lights, techno music, and alarms are all used alongside a Renaissance castle. With the classic Shakespearean dialogue, these props juxtapose against their setting, but alas work.

The talented cast are perfect for their roles. Louise Lambert as the nurse is a particular standout, playing her motherly character humorously. From her sarcastic rapport with Juliet to her exhaustion from constant running, Lambert adds light to an otherwise dark storyline. Additionally, Jesse Gervais is a riot in his borderline vulgar portrayal of Mercutio, particularly with his suggestive placement of the slurpee straw.

The Free Will Players’ mandate is to “explore the relevance of [Shakespeare’s] themes for contemporary audiences.” And Romeo and Juliet is a clear portrayal of the company accomplishing their goal — earning the cast a standing ovation.

Among many carbon copies of this timeless play, the Freewill Shakespeare Festival creates a refreshing portrayal that will not be soon forgotten.