Romeo and Juliet
How would you direct act 1 scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet?
If I was to direct the first scene of Romeo and Juliet I would first make the Capulets and the Montagues were different colours. I would have black costumes for the Capulets and white costume for the Montagues. I have done this because if I didn't the audience would get confused as there is a lot of people on the stage at one desired time. I would also set it in a modern theme the reason for this is because I think the audience would like to see an updated version of this rather than the traditional old theme.
For the prologue I am going to have an old tatty looking man with a long beard and glasses. I think this is important because without a prologue a lot of the audience wouldn't know much about the play. The man will be reading it out to the audience.
Sampson: my naked weapon is out: quarrel; I will back thee.
Gregory: how? Turn thy back and run?
Sampson: fear me not
Gregory: no, marry; I fear thee
Sampson: let us take the law of our sides; let them begin
Gregory: I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.
Sampson: nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it.
If I was to direct these particular lines I would have the Capulets and the Montagues stood on each side of the stage shouting stridently at each other and out of no-were Benvolio walks ...
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Sampson: fear me not
Gregory: no, marry; I fear thee
Sampson: let us take the law of our sides; let them begin
Gregory: I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.
Sampson: nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it.
If I was to direct these particular lines I would have the Capulets and the Montagues stood on each side of the stage shouting stridently at each other and out of no-were Benvolio walks in and says: Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.
After Benvolio's line has finished opposition sides will raise there guns and swords ready to battle with nothing but fierce and fright on there faces. Prince will also walk in from the back and will say:
Prince: rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners pf this neighbour-stained steel, will they not hear? What ho! You men, you beats that quench the fire of your pernicious rage with purple fountains issuing from your veins, on pain of torture, from those bloody hands throw your distempered weapons to the ground, and hear the sentence of your moved prince.
For this particular line I would bring all involved cast to the front of the stage this is so the audience would see clearly who is speaking. The audience will be worried at this point for Romeo. This is when his behaviour starts to change dramatically. Benvolio goes to find out what is up with Romeo.
Benvolio: Alas that love, so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannous and rough in proof.
Romeo: Alas that love, whose view is muffled still, should without eyes see pathways to his will. Where shall we dine? O me, what fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.
Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. Why then, o brawling love, o loving hate, o anything of nothing first create! O heavy lightness, serious vanity, misshapen chaos of well seeming forms, feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health,
Still waking sleep, that is not what it is!
This love feels I that feel no love in this
Benvolio: No because, I rather weep.
Romeo: Good heart, at what?
Romeo: why such is loves transgression. Grief's of mine own lie heavy in my breast, which thou wilt propagate to have it pressed with more of thine. This love that thou hast shown doth add more grief to too much of mine own.
Love is a smoke made with a fume of sighs, being purged, a fire sparking in lovers' eyes, being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears, what is it else? A Madness most discreet, a choking gall, and a preserving sweet. Farewell my coz.
If I would direct this scene I would have them all sat at the front of the stage with there legs dangling off the edge of the stage and Romeo would be ardently crying. After this I would have Romeo walk off the back of the stage and then take one head turn to the audience. The audience would be shocked off this because they didn't no how much he felt about Rosaline, this would create sympathy for the character.
I like the way Shakespeare presented this a romance, but its not just all about romance. He brings real life into it also by saying love isn't just about love there are bad times as well as good. With there being deaths and argument etc in the show it brings the show to be more realistic. Romeo had been presented as fanatical towards Rosanne, and the audience really see this when he takes his own life because of his love for her. He believes if he takes his own life he will be back with her in life to come. This is personally my favourite Shakespeare as it shows a passionate romance and I think he had a lot of points to make within this story. This story is also very heart-rending as it is a strong romance.
Jamie Halsall
