East London Shakespeare Festival’s production of Romeo and Juliet is to be presented at London parks and venues from 16 June – 13 August 2023
Romeo and Juliet – East London Shakespeare Festival
The Production – Romeo & Juliet:
A summer of partying and love is about to commence with the cast announcement East London Shakespeare Festival’s riotous & atmospheric production of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. This new contemporary and fast-moving telling provides summer delights for all the family, with an opportunity to enter this magical world of star-crossed lovers in your local park.
Set in a familiar modern East London, this story of secret loves and families at war will be vividly brought to life by Nick Hardie (Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall; Doctors BBC) as Romeo; Emilia Harrild (Macbeth, The Three Inch Fools, national tour; The Importance of Being Earnest & A Midsummer Night’s Dream in rep, OVO, The Roman Theatre) as Juliet.
All other members of the cast will take on dual roles with Ursula Early (Please Right Back, 1927; The Endings, Soho Theatre; Wives As They Were, UK Tour) as the Nurse & the Prince, James Hyland (Royal Shakespeare Company and has won multiple awards for his own Brother Wolf Productions, including OffComm Commendation Off West End Award) as Lord Capulet and Apothecary, Isambard Rawbone (A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Iris Theatre, If This Is Normal, Hamlet and Sense and Sensibility, Aquila Theatre/ US Tour) as Tybalt & Friar Lawrence, Chris Knight (The Southbury Child, Bridge Theatre) as Mercutio & Paris and the
recently graduated Sadé Philpotts making her theatrical debut as Lady Capulet & Benvolio. Also joining the company as the Apprentice Actor Caitlin Stevenson will be playing several of the smaller roles including Lady Montague, Balthasar and Rosaline.
Transforming areas across Hackney, Waltham Forest and Redbridge into the heady star-crossed nights of Verona. ELSF merges the contemporary culture of East London with the inspirational storytelling of Shakespeare’s plays in outdoor parks and community spaces across the area. Romeo & Juliet gives local
residents a memorable and unique experience of Shakespeare’s most famous love-story, with a festival vibe and featuring a community cast of local residents at the Waltham Forest venues.
With Pay-What-You-Can performances and heavily reduced school matinees for local schools including a 20-minute pre-show workshop, the company work closely with 30+ community partners to free community engagement training and activities including: Work Experience placements offering invaluable behind-the-scenes insight, support with creative career options and new skills for students. And opportunities to join the community cast who perform alongside the professional cast during 8 performances.
Running Time:
120 Minutes including interval
Dates:
16th June – 13th August 2023
Various days Wed–Sun, 3pm & 7.30pm School matinees, 12.30pm
Access Performances / Relaxed:
All performances are relaxed but have relaxed performances:
Friday 16th June at 12.30pm (Higham Hill Hub)
Friday 23rd June at 12.30pm (Leyton, Jubilee Park)
Friday 7th July at 12.30pm (Fellowship Square)
Notes:
Matinees: Suitable for all ages & family-friendly, Evening shows 7+ recommended but all welcome
Romeo and Juliet Tour Dates
Venue
16th – 18th June
Higham Hill Hub
Walthamstow, London E17 5QT
22nd – 25th June
Leyton Jubilee Park
Seymour Road, London E10 7BL
29th – 30th June
Hoxton Community Gardens
Hoxton Street/Stanway, N1 6RG
5th – 9th July
Fellowship Square
Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, E17 4JF
15th – 16th July
Wanstead Park
Warren Road, London E11 2LS
21st – 23rd July
Highams Park
The Charter Road, London IG8 9RF
27th – 30th July
Clissold Park
Green Lanes, London N16 9HJ
2nd – 3rd Aug
Valentines Park
Next to: Valentine’s Park Cafe,
Ilford, IG1 4SB,
4th – 6th Aug
Hornsey School For Girls
Inderwick Rd, N8 9JF
5th – 7th August
Springfield Park
Pavilion Café – South East Springfield Park, E5 9EF
BOOK TICKETS ALL VENUES
