Summer Shakespeare at Western presents

Romeo & Juliet

August 7-10

Romeo & Juliet has been one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays for centuries, with countless re-stagings, retellings and adaptations worldwide. Its ubiquity and single-thread plot line make R&J one of the most accessible plays in the Shakespearean canon and a surefire draw for audiences around the globe. Its themes of division, hate, and, ultimately love, remain powerful messages even in the modern day.

This adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy moves the story forward seven centuries from 14th century Verona to a modern-day high school in southwestern Ontario. Romeo, the 18-year-old daughter of single mother Montague, has known since she was little that boys were never in her future. With the support of her progressive mother and her accepting circle of close friends, Romeo has blossomed into her sexuality and is proud and out in her high school, despite the negative opinions of some others in town. Juliet, the 18-year-old daughter of the ultra-conservative Capulets, has always thought her life was pre-destined: once she finishes her education, she will make the seamless transition from obedient daughter to the obedient wife of town golden boy, Paris. However, when she meets Romeo at the Capulet’s annual fundraiser, she starts to question the values with which she was raised, the future that’s been written for her, and even her own feelings. As young love blooms amongst bigoted hate, tragedy is sure to strike.

Tickets 

Tickets are available for purchase through Eventbrite here.

More Information?

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About

Western Summer Shakespeare is a longstanding tradition in the London community. It is outdoor theatre, staged on campus at Western University. The first Western Summer Shakespeare performance took place on 4 August 1981, making it the longest running campus, or indeed outdoor, Summer Shakespeare in Canada - longer than the Dream in High Park by two years!

We welcome participation - both on and off the stage - from students, staff, and friends of Western University, Fanshawe College, and from the wider London community. Auditions are normally scheduled in March-April (before classes end), and the show is rehearsed at Western in May-July. In casting the show, priority should be given to students, though all members of the community are welcome to audition and a diverse cast is welcome. Our productions run typically for five to ten nights, usually during July or early August.

Questions

If you have questions about Western Summer Shakespeare productions please email Dr. Jo Devereux, Department of English and Writing Studies: jdevereu@uwo.ca.

Previous Summer Shakespeare Productions


2024: A Midsummer Night's Dream
2023: Much Ado About Nothing
2022: Comedy of Errors
2021: Cymbeline

2020: Pandemic Julius Caesar
2019: Twelfth Night
2018: Samson Agonistes
2017: The Tempest
2016: Much Ado About Nothing
2015: As You Like It
2014: Twelfth Night
2013: King Lear
2012: The Winter’s Tale

2011: Antony and Cleopatra
2010: The Merchant of Venice
2009: The Taming of the Shrew
2008: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2007: Measure for Measure
2006: The Winter's Tale
2005: Twelfth Night
2003: Henry V
2002: As You Like It

2001: Romeo and Juliet
2000: Richard III
1999: Measure for Measure
1996: Twelfth Night
1995: As You Like It
1990: As You Like It
1983: As You Like It
1982: Twelfth Night
1981: A Midsummer Night's Dream