My concept for this was spawned by the sudden resurgence of the terms 'liberal' and 'conservative' during the summer of 2005. It took me to the 1960's, a period of love and hate and 'the generation gap'. My hybrid melded Shakespeare's world with the Renaissance of the 1960's. Poet shirts, long hair and beards, violence in the streets, a drug culture (potions and 'mortal drugs') and even a reliance on the stars (age of Aquarius) brought both worlds neatly together.
I was really proud of the last scene. Following Juliet's death, the remaining story was told in 'dumb show', with music, until the final lines of the Prince.
I was really proud of the last scene. Following Juliet's death, the remaining story was told in 'dumb show', with music, until the final lines of the Prince.
“R & J in the `60’s? *groan*…Can they do it? … You can then imagine my surprise and delight upon experiencing this production and its ‘pseudo Rena-Sixties’ setting. This was a seamless melding of story and re-visioning…rare to see.
“Most memorable moment – The visually stunning/emotionally impacting image when the lover’s hands are revealed to be joined in death. There were audible gasps and weeping from the audience.
“The action flowed beautifully… The performers also understood not only the original text but its place in this world that was created and that was obviously attributable to the strength of the direction.” - H. Russ Brown, UW-Stevens Point
Photographs courtesy of Don Lintner
Scenic Design - Trevor Gohr, LIghting Design - Skelly Warren, Costume Design - Kim Instenes, Sound Design - Bradford Chapin.