Act 1
Early morning in Verona. The streets are deserted and Romeo is alone, lost in his dreams of love. Mercutio and Benvilio, friends of Romeo, appear. The peace of the marketplace is soon broken when they are confronted by the Capulets. The Capulets are their sworn enemies – a fight breaks out and is soon broken up by the appearance of the Prince of Verona who is fed up of the ongoing feud between the two families.
Juliet is playing with her nurse when she is interrupted by her mother, who introduces her to Paris, a wealthy young man who wishes to marry Juliet. It is the night of the masked ball and Juliet’s nurse brings a beautiful ball dress for Juliet.
Guests arrive at the Capulets house for the ball along with Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio who turn up at the height of the festivities disguised in masks. Romeo is soon entranced by Juliet, who has also become curious by the masked Romeo. Tybalt, the Capulets beloved nephew, recognises Romeo and orders him to leave.
Juliet sends her nurse to the busy market place with a letter for Romeo – a note Juliet has written consenting to be his wife. They meet at Friar Laurence’s cell where they get married. It is hoped that the family’s feud may be resolved through their union.
Back in the marketplace Tybalt arrives searching for Romeo – Romeo refuses Tybalts challenge and Mercutio steps in. Romeo tries to intervene but Tybalt fatally stabs Mercutio. Romeo seeks revenge on Tybalt and kills him. Realising the horror of his actions Romeo is exiled from Verona.
Act 2
Romeo is smuggled into the Capulets house by Juliet’s nurse to spend the night with his new wife. As dawn breaks he must leave. Lady Capulet arrives with the announcement to Juliet of her imminent marriage to Paris – Juliet refuses to the fury of her parents. She rushes to see the Friar, pleading for help. The Friar gives Juliet a potion which will send her to sleep temporarily faking her death. After her family bury her in their tomb Romeo, upon receipt of a message from the Friar, will return at night to take her away.
Returning to her home Juliet agrees her parents marriage plans, but when they return to her with Paris the following morning they find her in her bed, seemingly dead.
Romeo returns to Verona seeking Juliet before the Friar’s message has reached him. He drinks a vial of potion dying in the arms of Juliet. Juliet wakens, finds Romeo dead and stabs herself unwilling to live without him. |
