Romeo and Juliet was written in 1590 for an audience of that time, whilst I will have to direct for the modern audience of today however there are many things which both audiences find appealing e.g., it includes conflict and contrast, it is full of suspense, it contains humour, it is a romantic story, it has pathos, interesting characters, it contains dramatic irony etc.
One of the most important parts to the play is the epic feud between the two families as the violence between the feuding families that erupts during these scenes helps to drive the action forward. The feuds between the Capulets and the Montague families have been going on for a long time and it has never looked like they would make things up.
I believe one of the most attractive parts of the play is the feud between the two families and if I am to direct the play I will have to make this feud attractive and relevant to a modern audience, the feud between the families or two gangs can still be very relevant to today’s modern audience as many rivalries like in Romeo and Juliet still occur toady. There have also been many different movies which involves family feuds like in “the godfather.” This feud would also attract the interest of a modern day audience if a few adjustments are made like if instead of using swords, guns would be used as this would seem more relevant to today’s audience.
On the stage to show the difference I will use the costumes. Each family will have there own costume, this will make it clearer to the audience and will also implement a divide between the two families.
My direction of this scene would also need to demonstrate the significant themes of “Romeo and Juliet.” Some of these are violence: “Prince, as thou art true, for blood of ours shed blood of Montague.” love: “my lips, two blushing pilgrams, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss”, hate: “Let Romeo hence in haste, Else when he’s found, that hour is his last.” Fate: “O, I am fortune’s fool!” In act 3 scene 1 the theme of violence is particularly prominent. This is seen throughout the scene.
The globes unique stage, props, music and lighting can all be used to emphasise certain parts of the play. Firstly the stage of the globe theatre is in close proximity to the audience therefore I would try to create an interactive relationship with the audience, this would get the audience more involved.
At the beginning of the scene Mercutio and Benvolio are present and once more it is obvious how different these two characters are on one hand there is Mercutio who is a bit eccentric and has an aggressive nature:
“And but one word with one of us? couple it with something; make it a word and a blow” the actor playing Mercutio should be able to emphasis and be able to project the following to an audience: being Brave, poetic, clever, humorous, troubled, impatient, quick to anger as these all describe Mercutio best in act 3 scene 1. in this scene I feel Mercutio should wear a bright and fiery colour (perhaps red) as this will reflect his hot and fiery temper. Turing this scene I feel the audience should not really like Mercutio at the start as he is looking for the fight but as he is dying the audience should feel great sympathy for him. On the other hand there is Benvolio who is a loyal and a very peace minded person:
“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire the day is hot, the Capulets abroad, and, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl; for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.” The actor playing Benvolio should remember to be brave and to care a lot for Mercutio. I think the audience should like Benvolio as he is always trying to do the good thing in this scene.
Romeo, the last of the three friends and the most important, enters the scene in a joyous mood due to his marriage with Juliet. This is obvious as he greets Tybalt with a great welcome and handshake. His costume should look very good and smart as he has just married Juliet, his gestures should be very friendly while his facial expressions should always be happy however, as the action continues and Mercutio dies he should be filled with rage and the audience should see this.
Tybalt, the Capulet enemy, plays an interesting role in this scene as he is seen as the villain the audience may even feel sympathy towards him when he is dying however, ultimately it is Tybalt who kills the much loved Mercutio the actor should portray him as a confident, fierce, arrogant and impulsive person. His costume should be a dark colour to reflect the malevolence of the character.
All in all I have made many different changes to the play; I have made adjustments to make the play more exciting and relevant for a modern audience. E.g. instead of the sword fighting I will use guns, the costumes will be more of a modern style etc.