When I went to see Romeo and Juliet in San Francisco, I really had no idea what to expect. At the time, I"d never read the play, and had only seen the similar West Side Story performed. Let me tell you, for a first exposure to the world of R & J, this play did a fine job of initiation. .
While Juliet (Jacqueline Hillsman) was fairly annoying, she played a realistic thirteen years old. One of the more memorable moments in her performance was the famous balcony scene, in which Romeo reveals himself, and, like almost any teenager would do, Juliet screams and runs offstage.
Romeo (Alex Moggridge) was a good actor. Simply that. He carried his part well, and that was it. I can't recall anything in particular about him; he wasn't bad, he wasn't great.
The acting was incredible on the part of Mercutio (Roberto Robinson), who carried the show over his shoulder, tossing dirty jokes to the wind. He had the most energetic part in the entire play, making every sentence sexual, every phrase dripping with innuendo. Even his Queen Mab speech, which is usually performed as a serious monologue, he did laughing and gesturing with his belt, which he swung to and fro in between his legs.
The scenery was very simple and yet seemed to have something for every part of the play. It featured a balcony to the right, above gates lined with flowers. To the right was an enclosure used as Friar Lawrence's place.
The only criticism I have of this play is that the character of Benvolio was not very well developed at all. Otherwise, it was a very fine performance.