Family Feud, Not the Game Show: A Production Analysis of Romeo Y Julieta

Throughout Thursday performance of  Romeo Y Julieta, audience members might have heard tinkling chuckles from me as I pictured Shakespeare, (in colorful trousers) watching this little rendition of his teen romance novel. Many theatrical approaches the director took seemed to be in effort to cater to their younger audience. Some aspects detracted from the potential of the show, and some enhanced.

One instance of detraction is demonstrated in the blocking of the interactions between the Montague side and the Capulletti Side. They felt comfortable imposing on the turf of their feuding partners. When the nurse intrudes on Romeo's friends, there is no hostility. Even the sword fights lacked an animosity between the two groups. Tybalt allows himself to be physically taunted by Benvolio, which insinuates a certain point of comfortability. Benvolio clasps his hand on Tybalt's shoulder with little consequence, and there is no fear when they get closer to each other. Their lighthearted nature doesn't take into account the serious nature of a duel and the real consequences of death. I assume they took on a stance of levity because they didn't want to intimidate the younger audience members. However, the reconciliation between the Montegue's and the Capulletti's has a heartier sense of purpose the more dangerous the rivalry seems. I wondered if the children understood how grave the risks for for Romeo and Julieta to be together were, how detrimental prejudice can be, and how rewarding it can be to overcome that.
Despite that specific flaw, I thought the choice to merge what is perceived as traditional shakespearan garb with more modern apparel was an appropriate choice to help younger kids relate to the characters, and it matched the lighthearted mood of the play. Interestingly, while Romeo and Julieta are the true rebels of the story, they wear more traditional clothing. Benvelio and Tybalt adhere to the expectations of rivalry set before them, and they wear more urban clothes of jeans and sweatshirts. To me, the more formal clothes of the lovers symbolizes how innocent they see their tryst. If they were sporting more modern clothes it might seem like a statement against tradition, but instead, it's a statement about how strong love is. They aren't actively defying their parents as much as they are actively pursuing love.