ED: Did you make notes while you were watching the performances of Romeo and Juliet, Gemma?
GEMMA: Yes, I did. I found it quite hard though. I kept getting too involved in the play.
ED: Me too. I ended up not taking notes. I wrote down my impressions when I got home. Do you mind if I check a few things with you? In case I’ve missed anything. And I’ve also got some questions about our assignment.
GEMMA: No, it’s good to talk things through. I may have missed things too.
ED: OK great. So first of all, I’m not sure how much information we should include in our reviews.
GEMMA: Right. Well, I don’t think we need to describe what happens. Especially as Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays.
ED: Yeah, everyone knows the story. In an essay we’d focus on the poetry and Shakespeare’s use of imagery etc., but that isn’t really relevant in a review. We’re supposed to focus on how effective this particular production is.
GEMMA: Mmm. We should say what made it a success or a failure.
ED: And part of that means talking about the emotional impact the performance had on us. I think that’s important.
GEMMA: Yes. And we should definitely mention how well the director handled important bits of the play – like when Romeo climbs onto Juliet’s balcony.
ED: And the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt.
GEMMA: Yes. It would also be interesting to mention the theatre space and how the director used it but I don’t think we’ll have space in 800 words.
ED: No. OK. That all sounds quite straightforward.
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ED: So what about The Emporium Theatre’s production of the play?
GEMMA: I thought some things worked really well but there were some problems too.
ED: Yeah. What about the set, for example?
GEMMA: I think it was visually really stunning. I’d say that was probably the most memorable thing about this production.
ED: You’re right. The set design was really amazing, but actually I have seen similar ideas used in other productions.
GEMMA: What about the lighting? Some of the scenes were so dimly lit it was quite hard to see.
ED: I didn’t dislike it. It helped to change the mood of the quieter scenes.
GEMMA: That’s a good point.
ED: What did you think of the costumes?
GEMMA: I was a bit surprised by the contemporary dress, I must say.
ED: Yeah – I think it worked well, but I had assumed it would be more conventional.
GEMMA: Me too. I liked the music at the beginning and I thought the musicians were brilliant, but I thought they were wasted because the music didn’t have much impact in Acts 2 and 3.
ED: Yes – that was a shame.
GEMMA: One problem with this production was that the actors didn’t deliver the lines that well. They were speaking too fast.
ED: It was a problem I agree, but I thought it was because they weren’t speaking loudly enough – especially at key points in the play.
GEMMA: I actually didn’t have a problem with that.
ED: It’s been an interesting experience watching different versions of Romeo and Juliet, hasn’t it?
GEMMA: Definitely. It’s made me realise how relevant the play still is.
ED: Right. I mean a lot’s changed since Shakespeare’s time, but in many ways nothing’s changed. There are always disagreements and tension between teenagers and their parents.
GEMMA: Yes, that’s something all young people can relate to – more than the violence and the extreme emotions in the play.
ED: How did you find watching it in translation?
GEMMA: Really interesting. I expected to find it more challenging, but I could follow the story pretty well.
ED: I stopped worrying about not being able to understand all the words and focused on the actors’ expressions. The ending was pretty powerful.
GEMMA: Yes. That somehow intensified the emotion for me.
ED: Did you know Shakespeare’s been translated into more languages than any other writer?
GEMMA: What’s the reason for his international appeal, do you think?
ED: I was reading that it’s because his plays are about basic themes that people everywhere are familiar with.
GEMMA: Yeah, and they can also be understood on different levels. The characters have such depth.
ED: Right – which allows directors to experiment and find new angles.
GEMMA: That’s really important because … |