Romeo and Juliet

The Watermill, Newbury

The rural Watermill Theatre has been turned into a sleazy city bar for its new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The walls have been painted black, and liberally covered with graffiti and “no drugs” notices. A jazz gig is in full swing as you enter. It’s all most atmospheric – indeed, the only thing designer Katie Lias isn’t able to include is the trademark smell of stale beer mixed with industrial-strength disinfectant.

The bar is run by the Capulet family, who are not as upper crust as is traditionally the case –directed by new Watermill boss Paul Hart, this is a thoroughly 21st century production. Capulet himself (Mike Slader) is a bit of a slob, and his wife (Oxford School of Drama graduate Samantha Pearl, in a standout performance) plainly thinks she has married beneath her. Capulet daughter Juliet first meets Romeo, a member of the rival Montague family, at the bar, not at the usual grand ball, and the first of the production’s several viciously physical fights soon breaks out.

The bar’s music scene (devised and performed by the cast) continues to infuse the first half of the play, sometimes too much so – director Hart has very understandably employed a cast of young professionals in this tragic story of two young lovers, but as a result some of actors don’t yet have the experience to project themselves above the surrounding hubbub. But as the story moves inexorably towards its climax, all this is stripped away, greatly adding to the production’s dramatic power.

The casting has some fun with gender-swopping. Romeo’s best friend Benvolio is played by Victoria Blunt – another Oxford School of Drama graduate, here making her professional debut. In another standout performance, her Benvolio transforms from a macho, hard-drinking lad into a level-headed, supportive man. There’s good work, too, from Rebecca Lee as Friar Laurence.

But, of course, all depends on Romeo and Juliet themselves. Stuart Wilde’s Romeo demonstrates plenty of youthful determination and vigour, but the vital sexual chemistry and spark between him and Lucy Keirl’s understated Juliet has yet to develop. It will come, no doubt. Continues until 2 April.

Giles Woodforde 4/5