Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso) and Isis Hainsworth (Red Rose) to star in ROMEO AND JULIET in London

Interview with Rebecca Frecknall

Just booked a ticket for next Friday! So excited! Looks like this show is selling out fast, so get a ticket if you can!

Reviews are in! Another critically acclaimed production from Rebecca Frecknall at the Almeida! My excitement is just over the top right now! Tomorrow night cannot come any sooner! 

The Telegraph - ★★★★★

INews - ★★★★★

The Upcoming - ★★★★★

BroadwayWorld - ★★★★★

The Guardian - ★★★★

The Stage - ★★★★

Evening Standard - ★★★★

London Theatre - ★★★★

WhatsOnStage - ★★★★

WhyNow - ★★★★

 

 

Just got back from the show. Here’s my review. 

★★★★★

Was I skeptical about sitting for two hours straight (with no interval) in a small, intimate off-west end theatre? Of course not! First of many shows while I’m in London this summer and man am I off to a great start of seeing high class theatre here. The critically acclaimed Almeida Theatre in northern London has put on some high-class productions for many years. More recently, by director Rebecca Frecknall, who’s  just off major success with her take on A Streetcar Named Desire and Cabaret, Frecknall returns to the Almeida to bring her own interpretation of one of many iconic Shakespeare plays! When you enter the theatre, you are greeted by a large beige wall that covers most of the proscenium. Once the lights dim, the Frecknall Magic BEGINS! The actors approach the wall and the text of the prologue is projected for the audience to read. Then, the actors begin placing their hands on the wall. As if they mean to push it. Surely enough, the wall falls down, and becomes a platform for the show. We are greeted by a bare set that in many ways will be used to interpret this iconic story. For the transitions of scenes, a low bass-like sound is projected. Almost like a roar of thunder. When actors are not performing, they are either seated on a bench against the back wall or laying on the stage platform. Throughout the performance, we hear clips from The Dance of the Knights that was used in the well-known ballet production of the show by Prokofiev. Frecknall’s idea of this, along with choreographed dance moves by Jonathan Holby was pure genius! It made the production more intimate and visually stunning. The whole thing really works here. Now for this spectacularly talented cast. Led by Toheeb Jimoh and Isis Hainsworth, the chemistry between the two of them is both raw and emotional. I’ve never seen a Romeo and Juliet pair more greater than these two. Not to mention a standout performance by Jack Riddiford as Mercutio! Overall, this was a not-to-be missed performance. While I would love this show to transfer to a larger theater like the west end, the show would lose the intimacy and frankly some of the magic of the Almeida! Either way, this was a spectacular performance and I’m so happy I had the privilege to see it! Bravo!

Jordan Catalano said: "I was thinking of seeing this next week but decided against it (i seriously just had no desire to sit through this show again, now). I guess I should have got a ticket."

I don't know if the run is completely sold out. Last night wasn't. I counted 2 or 3 empty seats in the dress circle. I would just try and get a ticket if you can. It's worth it! The Frecknall stage magic is real!

Yeah, I'm not sure I get the appeal. It sounds bare bones. Very much John Doyle minus the musicians.