Romeo + Juliet
But first, Queen Mab.
“What, drawn and talk of peace?” Tybalt 1.1.43
Franco Zeffirelli’s version, as background. On Amazon.
“She hath not seen the change of fourteen years;” Capulet 1.2.9
The gay boyfriend version? (link)
“These violent delights have violent ends,” Friar Lawrence 2.6.9
Not like we don’t know?
“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.” Benvolio 3.1.4
Used that before.
“Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” Mercutio 3.1.61
Favorite line and joke. Be a perfect tombstone for me.
“It strains past the compass of my wits.” Friar Lawrence 4.1.47
I can’t believe it’s not butter.
“For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” Prince 5.3.308
Sad conclusion, but it’s not like we didn’t know.
Romeo + Juliet
I recall the first time I saw the Baz Luhrmann version Romeo + Juliet, while heavily edited, it was remarkable with gangland styling, and I found an invigorating update, but even the language was clear — to me.
Watching that dated Franco Zeffirelli’s version was as good, and I teared up early on, as the people on the screen hit the emotional notes that triggered the appropriate responses from me. Not like any of this is a mystery as to the outcome; it is the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The majesty of the film did convey — to me.
The pandemic offered a chance to see some more this, and there was one piece, the previously alluded to Queen Mab speech that shapes some of my current thinking and understanding of the play. Wouldn’t do without a passing reference to Shakespeare in Love, as well, but only in passing.
Romeo + Juliet
At UT’s Winedale Shakespeare in the barn.
Good show. I kept thinking, podcast or other Shakespeare Reference, and I’ll take no credit, but “Romeo and Juliet is a comedy struggling to get out,” and I botched the quote, and maybe the reference, but the way it worked, the first two acts were played as high comedy, and then, as soon as the duelists die, the barn stopped for intermission, and the tone of the performance arced back towards tragedy.
The opening monologue was also artfully executed by several actors each taking a line rather than a single droning narrator. Nice touch.
Solid performance, and a Queen Mab speech that is probably the best I’ve ever seen — a real show stopper.
The pacing and the split — right at the interval? Near perfect.
“For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” Prince 5.3.308
Again? Sad conclusion, but it’s not like we didn’t know.
“Romeo + Juliet — didn’t end well — tragic.”