Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet fall in love, but they are forbidden to be together as their families do not like each other. This leads to a tragic outcome for Romeo and Juliet…

Romeo and Juliet is set in a place called Verona where two families called the Montague’s and the Capulet’s live. They are always arguing. Romeo is the son of the Montague’s and Juliet is the daughter of the Capulet’s. One day, a fight breaks out between Tybalt the nephew of the Capulet’s and Romeo and his friends, but the Prince of Verona stops it for now.

At the home of the Capulet’s, Juliet’s parents Lord and Lady Capulet, introduce her to a very wealthy man called Paris, who they want her to marry. However, Juliet does not like this suggestion and leaves to go downstairs to where a ball is being held. In the meantime, Romeo and his friends Mercutio and Benvolio have disguised themselves in masks to enter the ball.

As Juliet is dancing, Romeo suddenly notices her and becomes completely captivated by her. Mercutio realises that Romeo has become very interested in Juliet but is worried that somebody will recognise them. Mercutio tries to distract Romeo from Juliet but it is too late as Tybalt has already noticed them. However, Lord Capulet wants no fighting at his ball and welcomes Romeo and his friends as guests. Tybalt is not very pleased.

Juliet goes back to her room and cannot stop thinking of Romeo when he suddenly appears in her garden. The pair admit their love for each other and are secretly married by the Friar Laurence, who hopes that this could end the arguments between the two families. Romeo and Juliet are very happy but this is not to last as Tybalt fights with Mercutio and kills him!

Romeo is so annoyed and upset by his friends death that he kills Tybalt in return. Romeo is caught by the authorities and ordered to leave Verona. Juliet is very, very upset. The next morning, Romeo leaves. Juliet’s parents are still unaware that she is already married and insist that she must marry Paris the following day. Juliet is so upset by this that she goes to Friar Laurence for help. Friar Laurence gives Juliet a sleeping potion, which will make her fall into a deep sleep, but it will make her look like she is dead. When Juliet’s parents believe she is dead they will bury her and she will be able to run off and live with Romeo forever. Friar Laurence goes to give Romeo the message.

When Juliet’s parents and Paris enter her bedroom the next morning, they find her lifeless and believe that she has passed away. They are very upset and start to arrange her funeral. All is not well though, as Romeo did not receive the message that Juliet is not really dead. Romeo returns to Verona and is told the awful news. Romeo is so distraught that he disguises himself once more so that he can visit Juliet before she is buried.

As soon as Romeo sees Juliet he is so upset that he decides to kill himself so that he can be with her. However, Juliet eventually wakes from her deep sleep to find Romeo dead beside her. Juliet is so shocked that she also kills herself so that they can be together forever.

The End

With special thanks to Royal New Zealand Ballet who kindly supplied Radacadabra with images from their production of Romeo and Juliet, which will be chorographed this year by Christopher Hampson in their 50th Anniversary year.

To visit Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, just click here www.nzballet.org.nz