The Capilano University Theatre Department blew minds with their rendition of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the first theatrical production of their 2024-25 season. The play was directed by highly acclaimed Canadian actor and director Bob Frazer. The play follows the tragic love story between Italian teenagers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. The two come from wealthy families in the kingdom of Verona, but the family have been fighting bitterly for years. The feud between the two families made it difficult for Romeo and Juliet’s relationship to thrive, which ultimately led to their tragic deaths by suicide at the end of the play.
Frazer ensured that the characters remained captivating and entertaining to watch. Mercutio and Juliet’s nurse had the audience laughing several times due to their on-point comedic timing and hilarious lines. The play involved many high-paced movements, such as running, fighting, and dancing. The lighting often changed colours to match the mood of the character’s dialogue. A smoke effect from above was displayed at times during the play.
Brian Ball did a great job designing outfits that matched the characters’ personalities. Notable outfits include Romeo’s; the strong use of black matched his sorrowful personality. And then there is Count Paris’s outfit. His head was wrapped with bandages, which I think represented his brokenness.
My favourite scene was the masquerade ball scene. During the scene, most of the main characters participate in a vibrant and entertaining dance number, which gives the audience more depth into the characters’ personalities. EDM music plays during the ball, giving it a modern vibe and making it almost seem like a rave.
Overall, I enjoyed watching the play. It was captivating, intense, and dramatic. It was one of my favourite plays of this year. I’m proud of the cast and crew’s hard work put into this production, and I’m looking forward to seeing more shows!
Rating: 5/5
Date watched: November 22nd, 2024
Location: BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, North Vancouver, BC
Theatre 604 
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