Introducing Romeo and Juliet for 2008

Shakespeare’s classic love story Romeo and Juliet will unfold on a starlit stage, for the University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) fifth annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival.

An early tragedy by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet is about two “star-cross’d lovers” whose untimely deaths ultimately unite their feuding families.

USQ Acting Lecturer and Director of Romeo and Juliet in 2008 Scott Alderdice said cast members Kate Murphy and Christopher Hunter were selected for the lead roles because of their strong performance chemistry.

'I worked with them on a number of video scenes and they had an extraordinary chemistry in the work they did together,' Mr Alderdice said.

'She’s a very extroverted and up-energy person and he is more dark and broody.

'They present an attractive and intriguing duo which would normally not be so strongly complimentary in their contrast.'

Kate, a Toowoomba local, has performed in musicals and theatre restaurants throughout her time at St Ursula’s College and taught drama at The Drama Studio.

'I am really looking forward to the opportunity to play such an exciting role,' Kate said.

'Being a Toowoomba girl I think it’s fantastic to do something like this for the community.'

Christopher began acting at the age of eight at the Helen O’Grady Children’s Drama Academy in Brisbane. After performing in his high school musical Guys and Dolls, he joined the Australian Acting Academy before being selected to study at USQ.

Mr Alderdice said the performance will present a unique version of the classic love tale.

'It will be a different sort of Romeo and Juliet. So many people know the story and Baz Luhrmann’s film is iconic in its approach.

'We had to think about what is special with the way we do it and what it means to be performing it in 2008.'

The selection of actors for the cast has also influenced the performance.

'Shakespeare wrote for a cast of mainly men, whereas we have a predominantly female cast.

'We have females playing characters that more traditionally have been males.

'The story is very driven by warriors and people fighting and standing up for and being willing to die for their clan. 
 
'We had to work out how that could work with such a female-dominated group.

'We also had to think about performing on the outdoors stage. It’s a social experience; it’s interactive, open and dynamic with the trees, clouds and shadows. It is more evocative than ever a theatre could be.'

The performance will have a similar outdoor, interactive atmosphere to plays during Shakespeare’s era.

'Back when Shakespeare wrote it the audiences were encouraged to be a part of the performance.

'Our Romeo and Juliet will have a lot of music, dance, movement and some singing.

'Its going to take on its own quality and own personality.'

Romeo and Juliet will open in Toowoomba's Queens Park on Thursday 28 February 2008 and runs until Saturday 8 March.

The show will then tour to Fraser Coast for a season 'on the bay' from 12-15 March and to USQ's Springfield campus for a season from 27-29 March.

Further information and booking details can be found on the Festival website - www.usq.edu.au/shakespeare.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559