Peter Strickland’s story of a radical ‘culinary’ art and sound collective is deeply, enjoyably bizarre, but labours too heavily on the repetition of certain ideas that don’t always resonate.
Jessie Buckley and Josh O Connor in Romeo & Juliet
4/23/2021
Josh O Connor and Jessie Buckley play Shakespeare s tragic lovers, torn asunder by a bitter feud, in this National Theatre production reconceived for the screen and airing on PBS.
At 30 and 31, respectively, Josh O Connor and Jessie Buckley are not the youngest actors to have played Shakespeare s star-crossed lovers in
Romeo & Juliet. But there s no doubting the youthful, I-would-die-for-you intensity of their passion in Simon Godwin s thrilling reimagining of the classic drama. If anything, their maturity gives the heavy veil of melancholy that clouds their joy all the more weight. Originally planned for London s National Theatre and reconceived for television in ways that ingeniously bridge the distance between stage and screen, this is as much a mesmerizing contemplation of theatrical storytelling as a heart-piercing reflection on divisions of violence and hate.
Romeo and Juliet, National Theatre online review - a triumphant hybrid | reviews, news & interviews Romeo and Juliet, National Theatre online review - a triumphant hybrid
Romeo and Juliet, National Theatre online review - a triumphant hybrid
Simon Godwin s debut film is part dressed-down rehearsal, part cinematic flourish
by Heather NeillMonday, 05 April 2021
Jessie Buckley and Josh O Connor in the wedding sceneRob Youngson
Shakespeare s enduring tale of star-crossed lovers is especially pertinent in a pandemic. The fatal plot twist depends on failed communication during an outbreak of pestilence, and one of the most famous lines is Mercutio s heartfelt, A plague on both your houses – clearly no idle curse.