CAST
Prince Escalus Susie Pegler
Count Paris Ben Wakefield
Paris Page Sorcha Ruth
Mercutio Frida Morley Hall
House of Capulet
Capulet Roger Hynd
Lady Capulet Sally Stopforth
Juliet Capulet Sophie Allan
Tybalt Jack Freeman
Nurse Gina Goad
Eliterate servant Mai Hasle
Samson Ian Crawford
Gregory Selina Toumey
House of Montague
Montague KT Julian
Lady Montague Kerren Hedlund
Romeo Montague Tess Upperton
Benvolio Holly Norton
Balthasar Esme Bainbridge

Friar Laurence Jan Bolwell
Friar John Selina Toumey
Apotecary Mai Hasle
Chorus Vicky Farslow

1st Watch Ian Crawford
2nd Watch Selina Toumey
3rd Watch Mai Hasle

Director Shona Jaunas
Producer Nicola Horwood
NZ Fringe Artist and venue Manager Fay Van Der Meulen
Artist/ Graphic design Sarah Laing
Costume/props Kate Nolan
Fight Master Simon Manns
Fight Director Nick Schultz
Fight Assistant Braden Lister
Music/sound Laurence Hortop
Choreographer Sally Stopforth
Hair/makeup Sophie Allen
Stage Manager Alison Amery-Zwartz
Lighting Adam Harrison

Romeo and Juliet Summer Shakespeare in Paekakariki
Directed by Shona Jaunas

1 to 3 March 2024, 7.30pm

Kāpiti glows in the waning sunlight as the Paekākāriki Community take their seats around the skateboard park above the glittering sea. A big crowd. We all know each other – it’s a village. And so begins this most cherished story of the star-crossed lovers, this everlasting tale of woe, of Juliet and her Romeo. The play’s the thing. In minutes, the audience is spellbound.  - Steve LaHoodd Theatreview.

The iconic Campbell Park with it’s skate park and sea views is the backdrop for this modern retelling of the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. Two lovers trying to bridge the gap between rival gang feuds, a misguided mentor sending them on a fatal journey and a community left with the reeling truth that perpetuating violence leads to death. For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

The audience moves from the skateboard park to the children’s play area. The Capulet mansion is the climbing-house structure. We all dance on the lawn with the overhanging pohutukawa and the stars above. Romeo and Juliet meet each other on the swings. Friar Lawrence’s cell is the bottom of the slide under the trees. The lighting is surprisingly subtle and a wee bit ‘fairy-glen’. It feels so right. This is not a review. It’s an affirmation.