It is one of the best-known, studied, analysed and reimagined stage plays in history.
So what new angle can the Rose Theatre possibly bring to Romeo and Juliet?
All will be revealed this weekend, when the team behind the successful adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather return with a brave new staging of the Shakespeare classic.
The timeless story of the star crossed lovers – played by Audrey Brisson and Joseph Drake – is being given a modern twist by director Sally Cookson, who has staged her version in the present day and changed the genders of some of the main characters.
Most notably, the sharp-tongued Mercutio will be played by a woman (Laura Elphinstone) and Juliet will have a possessive and intrusive mother (Maureen Beattie) instead of father.
Cookson says: “Because we are setting our version in modern times there is no reason why Romeo’s best friend couldn’t be a woman and Juliet couldn’t be dominated by a strong matriarchal character rather than her father.”
“We are setting it in a contemporary environment because it is a story that could be set at anytime so why not set it in the modern day, in a place that our audiences all recognise?
“Despite the modern setting though we have made sure that the production still has its poetic innocence.
“We had to make sure that nothing was lost from the romance of the tale.”
Audrey Brisson (Juliet) and Joseph Drake (Romeo) in rehearsals
Cookson's last Rose production, the aforementioned Hetty Feather, featured some spectacular acrobatics and circus tricks. It was a huge success and enjoyed a brief stint in the West End.
Can audiences expect a similarly energetic reimagining of Shakespeare's great tragedy? Perhaps.
Watch a behind the scenes video of rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet at the Rose:
“The Rose layout lends itself so well epic stories,” says Cookson.
“Our version is a very visual production, telling the story through movement and not just relying in the traditional text.
“The Rose feels really intimate and the stage is wonderfully epic. This is one of the most famous and tragic love stories of all time and there is no better place to stage it than the Rose.”
Romeo and Juliet; Rose Theatre, High Street, Kingston; Saturday, February 28 to Saturday March 21, various times; from £8; rosetheatrekingston.org.
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