28 May 2023
In a deeply divided Belfast in 1998, the year the Good Friday Agreement was signed, a pair of star-cross’d lovers will meet their destiny in OVO’s new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
The production is the work of Amy Connery and Stephanie Allison, transporting the story from fair Verona to the streets of Northern Ireland’s capital city as part of this year’s Roman Theatre Open Air Festival.
Adam Nichols, artistic director of OVO, who are presenting this opening night production, explained: ““We’re delighted to offer a packed programme with something to please even the most seasoned theatregoer at this year’s festival of outdoor entertainment at the Roman Theatre in St Albans.
“In honour of OVO’s 20th anniversary we’re returning to the very first show we produced back in 2003: Romeo & Juliet which is being given a 1990s Northern Irish twist by directors Stephanie Allison and Amy Connery.”
Amy said: “OVO is well known for its bold reimagining of classic texts and Stephanie and I have reimagined Romeo & Juliet in a divided Belfast in 1998. We’ve adapted the original script and aim to show that Shakespeare’s themes are as relevant today as they have always been and that a fragile peace is only as durable as opposing sides permit.
“I was born in Belfast in the 1990s so this is an opportunity for me to explore that heritage and, because we moved to England when I was very young, to learn about a section of my history I missed. I’m very excited about us choosing this context, but at the same time feel a responsibility to do it justice and represent it in the right way.”
Stephanie added: “We believe in making Shakespeare accessible to all audiences; by setting our production in a distinctive era together with music and movement, we’re confident of presenting an exciting show that will appeal to the widest audience.
“We’ve also created a bold take on stage fighting with Frantic Assembly practitioner Felipe Pacheco.”
Musical director Tommaso Cagnoni will present new arrangements of traditional Irish folk music and songs by The Pogues, The Corrs, Van Morrison, The Waterboys, and Nanci Griffith – all played live by the OVO band.
Meanwhile, OVO’s associate director Simon Nicholas is creating a stage design to reflect Belfast Docks and a classic structure for Romeo and Juliet’s iconic balcony scene.
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium, on Bluehouse Hill, offers a comfortable and welcoming environment for all audiences. A new hilltop bar offers competitively priced drinks and snacks and plentiful seating affords glorious views over the theatre site and the Ver Valley.
Romeo & Juliet performance dates: June 5-10; July 10-11; July 26-29. Tickets from www.ovo.org.uk.
