I will be using a thrust stage. The balcony will be placed on the left corner of the stage. There will be trees and colourful flowers surrounding the balcony. As this scene is set in the 16th century Juliet will be unaware of her rights as a women.
The theme of the scene is love. Both Romeo and Juliet are expressing their feelings for each other. The relationship between Romeo and Juliet is very passionate, which will be conveyed though the use of language, their facial expression and body language. They will speak direct from Shakespheres text. In this scene I will use classical music to create the love and tension in the scene. Music is an important part of any play and assists in heightening the emotion of pivotal scenes. Soundtracks offer freedom every song helps to create the overall tone of a particular scene. Between each scene the lights will dim.
From previous scenes Romeo has come across as a typical desperate boy. The first time he saw Juliet it's love at first sight. Throughout the scene he can’t keep his eyes off her. When the party ends Romeo will sneak to the back of the orchard. This is the beginning of scene 2. Juliet goes out onto the balcony and, thinking she is alone, speaks. She wishes Romeo was not a Montague and that she was not a Capulet and professes her love for Romeo. Romeo starts to recite his lines.
‘She speaks:
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.’
Juliet cannot see him at this point. This is dramatic irony as the audience can see Romeo but Juliet cannot. Romeo emerges to reveal himself and climbs up to Juliet after she says the line,
'O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?'
in this scene they will not be physically intimate. This is to show respect for the older members of the audience, who do not consider such intimacy to be acceptable. The lights would be on Romeo and Juliet and they would be looking deep into each other’s eyes while holding hands.
The tone used in the speech is very lovey dovey but there is also fear. Juliet's speech at ll. 58-60 reveals both her love and her fear. Juliet’s long speech starting at l. 85 makes clear that she is still a virtuous young woman who wishes her love had not been so promptly revealed; but now that it has been, she does not intend to look backward. Throughout this scene I’m going to make sure that their backs are not towards the audience. When the nurse cannot be seen on stage, her shadow will be seen through the window. The scene ends with Juliet planning to meet Romeo again if he agrees to marry her.
To conclude the play I will direct Romeo to give Juliet a gentle kiss on the hand. The lights will dim gradually and the music will also fadeout.
Punam Patel
2b
10 Di
