Shakespeare Theatre Company’s peripatetic Artistic Director Simon Godwin, having instituted a six-production 2020-2021 season for STC notwithstanding the pandemic, has decided to use his spare time to helm a film of Romeo and Juliet for the National Theatre – in London.
Godwin, who previously directed filmed stage productions of Antony & Cleopatra and Twelfth Night for National Theatre, promises that this production has a combination of film and theater techniques. “I’m very excited about this new genre, combining film and theatre, and bringing together the remarkable talents of those industries,” Godwin said.
The National Theatre production will reimagine the doomed romance as taking place in modern Italy, “where Catholic and secular values clash, [and] two young lovers strive to transcend a world of violence and corruption,” according to a National Theatre press release.
The production will feature Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor as the youthful lovers, as well as Fisayo Akinade as Mercutio, Deborah Findlay as the Nurse, Tamsin Greig as Lady Capulet, Lucian Msamati as Friar Lawrence, Shubham Saraf as Benvolio, David Judge as Tybalt, Alex Mugnaioni as Paris and Ellis Howard and Sampson.
David Sabel will serve as the producer, and Tim Sidell will be the Director of Photography.
The National Theatre anticipates the production will be available for viewing in 2021, airing here in the states on PBS’ Great Performances.
You must be logged in to post a comment.