Shakespeare is given a mod-ern twist in a brand new production of Romeo & Juliet coming to the Belgrade Theatre this June. Shakespeare’s most famous love story is brought to the stage with a musical Mods and Rockers theme by Oddsocks Productions who have built a reputation for producing new and innovative adaptations of Shakespeare classics.
This timeless tale of feuding families and star-crossed lovers is played out with a soundtrack of modern hits performed live on stage. It follows on from Oddsocks’ successful production of Much Ado About Nothing; a high octane version of Shakespeare’s witty battle of the sexesm, which toured to the Belgrade in June 2016.
There’s ‘Nowhere to Run’ for the Capulets and Montagues as violent confrontation stalks every meeting, even ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight’. Meanwhile, Juliet’s Nurse is looking forward to a good old ‘Twist and Shout’ at the Capulet party, which Romeo’s mates are planning to gatecrash.
Romeo has doubts about going to the Capulet ‘Nite Klub’ but that is where he meets his Juliet, and ‘It Must Be Love’. Maybe, just maybe, ‘The Power of Love’ will end the families’ violent feud. Tybalt has other ideas, and when ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, Romeo gets into a fatal fight that sees two dead and Romeo banished.
Juliet is distraught, her father reassures her that ‘Everybody Hurts’ and he will cheer her up by marrying her to the County Paris. Juliet, desperate to avoid this unwanted wedding, takes the Friar’s sleeping potion and is buried in the family tomb. Romeo, hearing of his lover’s “death” goes to her. In a final act of coincidence and confusion our star-crossed lovers ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ and their parents are left thinking ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’.
Set up by Andy Barrow and Elli Mackenzie, Oddsocks Productions is a critically acclaimed family enterprise taking its work out to diverse communities across the UK. Touring indoor and outdoor venues in all seasons for over 28 years, Oddsocks have become established as one of the UK’s best-loved touring companies.
Oddsocks’ Artistic Director, Andy Barrow said, “Oddsocks is a theatrical experience for everyone. As actors, we’re putting on a party and everyone is invited. It’s theatre that’s highly energetic, full of life and plenty of laughs! It’s Shakespeare, but not as you know it!”
Elli Mackenzie, Oddsocks Co-founder and Producer added, “We’ve created over 70 productions and performed to over 380,000 audience members in all weathers! No hierarchy or elitism, telling good stories in innovative ways to create a great night out.”
Aside from being a touring theatre company, Oddsocks also run their Open Doors scheme: allowing disadvantaged communities, families and individuals to engage with theatre in schools, universities and prisons. They offer tuition, recruitment workshops and enterprise days for students. Oddsocks produce comedy training videos, lead team-building days and help businesses to understand the importance of internal communication in the workplace.
Oddsocks are also touring a comedy, steampunk musical production of Macbeth alongside Romeo and Juliet.
Tickets for Romeo & Juliet are available now priced at £15 by calling the Belgrade Box Office team on 024 7655 3055 or book online at www.belgrade.co.uk for even cheaper tickets.
