SWEATY, stripped back, gender blind Shakespeare is promised as a ground-breaking theatre company starts a national tour at Bedales School in Steep.
Merely Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet comes to the Olivier Theatre on February 21, with the company also taking Twelfth Night around the UK.
The two productions feature ten actors and what is known as 50/50 casting. The five women and five men pair up and rehearse the same parts, so there is both a male and a female actor ready to play every role.
From that cast of ten, five are selected for each performance, with the genders shifting fluidly.
“For example,” says Philip Tattersall-King of Bedales, “some audiences will see a female Malvolio, and others will see a male Juliet. This role sharing creates a progressive working environment for the young company and we are very proud that the entire tour starts here, in Petersfield.”
Tickets are £14, with £12 concessions. Call 0333 666 3366 or visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/318710
For a chance of winning a pair of tickets to Romeo and Juliet, send your answer to the question below with your name, address, e-mail and daytime phone number to Shakespeare competition, Post Series, 33 High Street, Petersfield, GU32 3JR, by 5pm on February 15.
Question: Is Romeo and Juliet a Shakespearian comedy or a tragedy?