"Romeo & Juliet"
By Feelgood Theatre Productions
Outdoor promenade performance in Heaton Park
Wednesday 25th July until Sunday 12th August 2018, 7.30pm
(No performances 29th & 30th July, 6th August)
Matinee Thurs 2nd August, 3pm
"Brilliantly performed ... everything you’d want from Shakespeare!"
Manchester Evening News 4*
Following the 5 star Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2017, Feelgood return to Heaton Park to stage Shakespeare’s classic love story, Romeo and Juliet. This beautiful site-sympathetic piece transforms Heaton Park into the set for the two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families.
This show journeys through the park witnessing the passion of love at first sight between Romeo and Juliet and then follows them as they become an overpowering force that supersedes all other values, loyalties and emotions.
Brimming with theatrical delights that see the Egerton Family of Heaton make an ‘appearance’. If you missed the sold out ‘Dream’ make sure you book early for this, it is an experience not to be missed!
Performed by a thrilling cast, many of whom are returning from the 2017 ‘Dream’ cast, the show is fused together with stunning music from Gounod to the Stone Roses, with sword fighting and dance by graduates from the Northern Ballet School and a special glimpse inside the closed Heaton Hall, this is outdoor promenade at its very best.
Director Caroline Clegg says: “As stakeholder Theatre Company in Heaton Hall and Park I am delighted to be bringing our nuanced and visceral Romeo and Juliet to life which cherishes the history of the hall and park and is relevant to a contemporary Manchester audience.
In addition, Feelgood’s long history of innovative community and educational work will come to the fore. This summer we will be unveiling an extensive programme to give a platform to young people. We are thrilled to be joined by 2 dancers from the Northern Ballet School who will embody in dance the spirit of Romeo and Juliet and two actors from Manchester School of Theatre will work alongside the professional cast. We are initiating a Summer School for young people age 13 – 16 who will attend workshops with the cast and have the opportunity to perform their own devised piece in front of an audience. Responding to feedback we are also trialling a new initiative this year of a matinee performance to make it as accessible as possible.”
Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Schools, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman, said:
“Heaton Park and Hall will provide a stunning setting for this new production of one of the most famous love stories ever told. As well as providing the opportunity for families to enjoy a unique cultural experience within one of the city's greatest parks, it's particularly pleasing to know that through this project, Feelgood Theatre will be helping local young people to develop their artistic talents, by offering them to learn from the cast while producing a performance of their own."
Cast List:
Sylvia Arnold (Montague), Elianne Byrne (Lady Capulet), Nia Coleman (Juliet), Ned Cooper (Romeo), Kezia Coulson (Dancer - Spirit of Juliet) - Internship Programme, Sophie Coward (Benvolio), Karl Greenwood (Tybalt/Apothecary), Toby Hadoke (Friar Laurence), Nicola Jayne Ingram (Nurse), Joseph Jordan (Mercutio), Daniel McDwyer (Paris), Harry Mace (Balthazar/Sampson) - Internship Programme, Jasmine Perkin (Peter/Gregoria), Lane Paul Stewart (Capulet), Ryan Upton (Dancer- Spirit of Romeo) - Internship Programme, Dan Willis (Prince/Friar John).
What the Press Said
Chris Bartlett, The Stage
"Impassioned open-air experience that transforms into something magical."
As Chris Bartlett's review in The Stage says, there have been many open-air interpretations of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, but Feelgood's offering comes highly recommended - in Chris' experienced view, Feelgood's production is enough to make you "experience the Bard’s oft-performed tale of doomed love with fresh eyes."
David Cunningham, Manchester Theatre Awards
"Now that’s what I call a balcony scene! Caroline Clegg certainly knows how to stage a scene that demonstrates why the return of Feelgood Theatre to Heaton Park is so eagerly anticipated... Feelgood provide a memorable and moving version of Shakespeare’s classic."
"Brilliantly performed ... everything you’d want from Shakespeare!"
Annie Gouk, Manchester Evening News
David Chadderton, British Theatre Guide
"If you fancy taking the family with a picnic to the park for an evening out with some well-performed Shakespeare, this is your ideal ticket!"
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