Joe Calarco’s Shakespeare’s R&J will be on stage at the newly launched 150 seat Fugard Theatre Studio from 25 July to 20 August.
Directed by Fred Abrahamse with costume design by Marcel Meyer, it is set in an exclusive boarding school where four pupils discover an illicit copy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and start acting it out. Perceptions and understandings are turned upside down. As the fun of play-acting turns serious and the words and meanings begin to hit home, universal truths emerge. Told entirely through Shakespeare’s language, Shakespeare’s R&J is both the story of Romeo and Juliet and the journey of four young men who, during the course of one thrilling night, discover the power of theatre and the new worlds it can open up. The cast includes Rory Acton-Burnell, Marcel Meyer, Alistair Moulton Black and James MacGregor. Shakespeare’s R&J holds the distinction of being the longest running version of Romeo & Juliet in New York, having run for over a year. It has also been staged with great success across the globe in the UK, the USA, Australia, the Netherlands and Japan. Booking for the run at the Fugard Theatre Studio are available through Computicket. Ticket prices are R60 on Mondays, and R120 from Tuesdays to Saturdays. There is a 10% discount on bookings of 10 tickets or more. Student and scholar group-bookings of 20 or more are R60.00 (only available through the Fugard Theatre box-office). What the press in Grahamstown had to say: Kgomotso Moncho from the Tonight said it was “very powerful” and Cue described the performance as “one of the most engrossing love stories ever to grace a South African stage”. About the Fugard Theatre: The 280-cinema style seater Fugard Theatre and 150-seater Fugard Theatre Studio is located within the historic Sacks Futeran building in Cape Town’s District Six, with the renovated Congregational Church Hall in Caledon Street as its entrance. Construction of The Fugard Theatre was underwritten by its founding producer Eric Abraham, and is named in honour of Athol Fugard, South Africa’s greatest playwright. All seating is reserved and can be booked on line at www.computicket.com or the box office on 021 461 4554.
