An Estonian theatre reimagines 'Romeo and Juliet' as a demolition derby
We could try and explain but perhaps it's best put like this: But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is, well, a red pickup truck.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ancient ruins of Peel Castle to show Shakespeare 'as intended'
A touring theatre director has said performing in the open-air in the ruins of an ancient castle allows audiences to experience Shakespeare as it was "originally intended".A cast of six is set to bring one of the playwright's best known comedies to life in the grounds of Peel Castle and Rushen Abbey this performances of Much Ado About Nothing form part of a 60-castle tour of Europe by the company, which started in Paul Stebbings said despite being well experienced in staging shows in historical ruins, the wildlife at Peel Castle had previously posed a challenge because "seagulls have no respect for Shakespeare". He said one of the seabirds attempted to upstage the actors in a key scene during a previous production of Romeo and Juliet at the site, which was built between the 11th and 14th centuries."I had to chase one off the stage that actually was determined to sit on the balcony," he said venues on the tour ranged from ruins to stately homes and the logistics of performing in castles were sometimes "pretty tricky" because ultimately castles were "designed not to get into".Stebbings has strong links to the island through both family connections and his involvement in several previous include writing and directing the Ghost of Illiam Dhone, portraying the life and times of Manx martyr William Christian, in conjunction with the Manx Heritage Foundation a decade ago. His latest Shakespearian endeavour, being staged in conjunction with Manx National Heritage, is set in Messina and revolves around a plot to make two friends fall in said using Peel Castle as the setting allowed the cast to get closer to the audience, in turn allowing those watching to see the play as the writer had "designed"."The actors get up close so the audience see the whites of their eyes, which I think is important," he said."These play were not designed to have clunky big scene changes," he production by TNT and the American Theatre Group is set to get underway in the grounds of Peel Castle at 18:00 BST, with a repeat performance a Rushen Abbey at 14:00 on Sunday. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Channel 4
12 hours ago
- Channel 4
An Estonian theatre reimagines 'Romeo and Juliet' as a demolition derby
It's Shakespeare, but not as you know it. Estonia is the latest place to stage an unorthodox version of Romeo and Juliet. It might be 500 years old – and one of the best known love stories of all time – but the star crossed lovers of Verona have been endlessly reinterpreted. We could try and explain but perhaps it's best put like this: But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is, well, a red pickup truck.
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Telegraph
Edinburgh Fringe Macbeth has trigger warnings for ‘violence and swearing'
A performance of Macbeth at the Edinburgh Fringe has trigger warnings for violence and swearing. Audience members for the Shakespeare play were given the warning in the latest example of what critics have described as a 'creeping malaise' against creativity. The play, produced by the New Zealand-based Barden Party performance company, is described as a 'thrillingly, saucy rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragedy'. However, the listing on the Fringe website also warns that the show involves 'audience participation, distressing or potentially triggering themes, scenes of violence, strobe lighting and strong language/swearing'. It is the latest in a number of productions warning of a play's contents despite the texts being widely known and having been performed for centuries. 'Most people have read Macbeth' Posters for a performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Fringe, from a different theatre company, warned audiences that it contained depictions of death. Bard In The Botanics, the production company behind the play, told audiences to expect 'violent scenes, depictions of knife crime, domestic violence, suicide and death'. Critics have said the trigger warnings leave theatregoers 'infantilised' and claimed they risk 'dulling discourse'. Fraser Hudghton, the director of Free Speech Union Scotland, told The Telegraph: 'I should imagine most attendees will have read Macbeth at school. 'Perhaps 'triggering themes' refers to audience members' memories of when they had their head flushed down the toilet or were forced to pick a partner in PE for Scottish country dancing? It seems pretty unlikely they won't know what the play is about and be bowled over in shock, given it is one of the most famous dramas in the English language.' Gigs cancelled It comes amid a row over freedom of expression at the festival after a Jewish comedian was cancelled by a venue for attending a vigil for victims of the Oct 7 attack. Philip Simon, who was set to perform his show Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way? at the Banshee Labyrinth, was cancelled after the venue looked at his social media pages and found posts saying that it was powerful to 'stand strong against terror' and a post warning that Oct 7 rape victims were being forgotten. The venue told The Telegraph: 'If we hadn't found anything of concern he would obviously still be performing with us.' Mr Simon said the only opinion he had expressed on the Gaza conflict was a desire for peace and to see the hostages freed. Days earlier, he and Rachel Creeger, another Jewish comedian, had their gigs cancelled from a separate venue, Whistlebinkies, after bar staff said they felt 'unsafe'. In a speech to arts executives ahead of the start of the Edinburgh International Festival, John Swinney, the First Minister, said he would 'always protect' freedom of expression. However, he appeared to suggest the venue that cancelled Mr Simon and Ms Creeger's shows was right to do so. He told reporters: 'I think the individual venues will make an assessment of their circumstances and the issues around security that might need to be considered.'
