There's some fantastic outdoor theatre coming our way this summer and what could be more romantic than Romeo & Juliet with Peterborough's Ferry Meadows as the beautiful backdrop.
Following the recent success of their one act play festival, the talented team at Peterborough Mask Theatre are preparing to take to the stage once again this summer to tackle Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
The company, well-known for their vibrant and innovative productions, will perform the Bard’s famous tale of star-crossed lovers against the beautiful woodland backdrop of Ferry Meadows, the city’s much loved country park.
Co-Director Phil Lewis is delighted by the prospect of a new venue and told ESP - “It’s been three years since we performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the grounds of Peterborough Cathedral. Audiences absolutely loved it, so expectations are high, but we know we can meet them. People have waited a long time to see what we do next.”
Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two families, the Capulets and the Montagues, rivals for generations and regular instigators of gang violence. When the eponymous teens from either side fall head over heels in love, we’re left to wonder if it will ever be enough to overcome their parents’ hate. It’s a fuzzy, and often blurred, line.
The cast, drawn from across the city and even further afield, have already begun rehearsing and co-director Hannah Drury is keen to keep them on their toes - “Everyone knows the story, so the challenge is how can we tell it in a new and exciting way? The themes are timeless, and we’ve kept things fresh by bringing the set, costumes and sound bang up to date. These characters should be recognisable and relatable. You won’t find any doublets or breeches here!”
Romeo and Juliet will be performed at Ferry Meadows in Nene Park, Peterborough from July 6 – 9, nightly at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets are available now from www.masktheatre.co.uk
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