Romeo and Juliet is one great historic story that is set on tragic romance. The 2019 version of the original play depicts much energy and character amongst the cast. This is seen from the onset of the play where the trapdoors burst open and from underneath the first two performers, an actor and an actress, emerge. The audience that was seated in silence seconds before is left in awe, as they get ready for a show not worth a blink.
Intensity and energy are displayed in character after the act gets physical a few minutes into it. One morning, a street fight breaks out between two groups which are later identified as the Montague and Capulet clans. The fight is stopped by a gentleman who is the prince of the city, and he warns both sides of the dire consequences that they will face in case of repeated violence in the future. Violence, however, occurs where Romeo’s best friend is murdered.
The mention of the feud as a crucial part of the script is displayed by the vicious fights between the two families. This fight is attributed to the hatred the Montagues have for the Capulets and vice versa. Adding to the fact that they hate each other, the undisputable love between Romeo and Juliet poses another, even bigger problem. Violence and hatred are represented as an element of the script where a physical confrontation occurs between members of both families. In this case, the characters onstage represent both families.
An important aspect that goes without mentioning is the use of weapons by those involved in the fight. This version of the original story represents a less violent display of the physical confrontation that Shakespeare in his play intended to convene. Furious over his best friend’s death, Romeo takes revenge by fighting back Tybalt and ends up killing him. He is subsequently banished from the city by the prince as a punishment.
Apart from the key actions and design elements mentioned above, suicide is represented by the actor playing Romeo. As a social issue caused by many factors, it is a lesson to the audience as well as everyone else watching the play. This element not only serves to include the contents of the script but also to create awareness of the social issue faced by the contemporary world. Deeply frustrated by Juliet’s death, Romeo heads for Juliet’s tomb and commits suicide by drinking poison. Juliet awakens with the news of Romeo from Laurence and in despair plunges a dagger into her abdomen after Laurence flees. The families of both teens attend the funeral of the two.
Romeo and Juliet is a great play, such that one will not help but love it. The 2019 theater version of the story presented a satisfying performance. Much more could have been done on the acting to make it even better. I think some of the adjustments that could have been made include improving the costume, the music, and the sound. The production was, however, successful, and I enjoyed the acting. The actors execute their parts with exemplary competence and one cannot dare depart midway through the entire script. Romeo takes dominance on the stage and manages to keep the audience hooked to the screen.
The design elements did achieve or fit the concept set out by the action on stage. The fight scenes are made lively and eye-catching in the manner they are executed. At first, the street brawls between two clans occur and more fights come in as Tybalt kills Romeo’s cousin. One if keen would notice that all the props, in this case, used as weapons in the fight scenes are accounted for.
Youth and Privacy is a theme that is well depicted in the manner Romeo and Juliet undertake their plans. The two secretly marry, and the wedding is complete with vows and pledges. Early marriage comes with various implications and evidently, one implication is on the experience of handling different issues.
When Laurence arrives at the scene Juliet awakens after Romeo commits suicide, one can notice the tension and the fear he depicts. He is quite afraid of the turn of events and the consequence he would face if whatever he and Juliet had plotted all along comes to pass. When Romeo takes the poison beside Juliet’s grave, he initiates a somber mood and the audience gets to feel the depth of love he had for his lover. Haste is illustrated in the film as Romeo and Juliet strived to make their love work in a hurry. The decisions they both make to commit suicide are also hastened and this causes all the change in the film.
The video portrays fights and passionate love and combines the themes of violence, death, and religion. Family is also an element applied to create the expressive rush that results in a fatal end. Love is a cause of violence and from the start, Romeo takes revenge after his best friend is killed, resulting in his banishment. It also elaborates on the lives of the youth and the decisions related to the stage.
I think this version of Romeo and Juliet is breathtaking and I would recommend it to anyone as it is worth their time. Towards the end of the act, the characters signify what loyalty and true love are. Revenge is also highlighted and, as it is depicted, it only yields a bitter end. The feuds in the play do not result in any fruitful end, either.
Work Cited
“Romeo and Juliet (2019) Playing Shakespeare.” YouTube. Web.