All the world’s a stage
Last updated 11:36, Thursday, 05 June 2008
A touring, open-air production of Romeo & Juliet will arrive in Dumfries on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The Crichton Estate is the spectacular setting for an outdoor performance by the touring company of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, which features a cast of eight, a VW camper van and minimal props.
The world-famous theatre company, based on London’s South Bank, first toured Romeo & Juliet in 2007 to great acclaim. This year it has been re-cast and re-imagined by director Elizabeth Freestone, and this is the company’s first visit to Dumfries and Galloway.
Alan Morrissey plays Romeo, and Dominique Bull is making her debut as Juliet. The 21-year-old graduates from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London this summer. She said: “I think the appeal of Romeo & Juliet is the simplicity of the story. It’s beautiful but easy to understand. The feelings and emotions are epic, huge, but at the heart of it is a love story.
“It’s been really fun and intimate working with a small cast, and having a set we can make our own. The other actors are brilliant, interesting people and I think Alan and I have a good connection.
“Using the space that we’re in, which changes with each venue, helps create very dynamic performances.”
The Globe’s two days at The Crichton also coincide with student workshops based around the issues of family and feud contained within Shakespeare’s tale. These workshops will be hosted by the University of Glasgow on the Crichton Campus and are free to student groups booking to see the performance.
Romeo & Juliet is at the Crichton estate on Wednesday at 7.30pm, and Thursday, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Easterbrook Hall has organised wine and canapés for the interval, plus the option of a pre-performance dinner or a post performance supper with the actors. Tickets are £15 or £10 for under 16s. They are available from Easterbrook Hall box office on 01387 702323 or the Globe Theatre on 0207 401 9919.
