Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet

Passion and heartbreak collide in this contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s timeless tale, exploring the madness of forbidden first love. Locked away in an asylum by a society intent on crushing their youthful spirits, our star-crossed lovers must risk everything to be together. Bourne’s trademark storytelling bursts with raw energy, bringing both suppressed and explosive passions to the surface. Romeo and Juliet’s first kiss remains unbroken as they roll across the floor and climb stairs, defying the world around them. Cordelia Braithwaite's Juliet is a tragic figure whose strength and courage have been warped by the life forced upon her. The goofy, charming Romeo, played by Paris Fitzpatrick, serves as her perfect foil. The film’s shocking climax springs from Juliet’s deep trauma. In this radical reinterpretation of Shakespeare's classic, love and sex are portrayed as dangerous forces in a world that demands conformity.