Playwright William Shakespeare's great romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet was performed on Wednesday at Shaheed Bhawan Auditorium leaving the audience spellbound.
Directed by Ashutosh Mishra, Samantar Theatre Group, Bhopal performed the play before the theatre lovers of the city. Notably, the Shakespearian romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet is one of the best known plays. Though, no manipulations have been done in the play, but interestingly it was presented in two languages, i.e., in Hindi and English.
While talking to The Pioneer, the young director of the play said, “This is our first production of Romeo and Juliet. We are planning to perform this play in future as well,” he added.
Another interesting fact of this play is that it features all the newcomers of the theatre industry. Notably, proper auditions were organised for the casting and few new artists were selected for it. Mishra further informed that they have been rehearsing for two months. The play begins with a large fight between the Capulets and the Montagues, two prestigious families in Verona, Italy. At the party, Romeo locks eyes with a young woman named Juliet. They instantly fall in love, but they do not realise that their families are mortal enemies. Romeo sneaks into Juliet's yard after the party and proclaims his love for her. She returns his sentiments and the two decide to marry. The next day, Romeo and Juliet are married.
Juliet's mother, completely unaware of her daughter's secret marriage, informs Juliet that she will marry a man named Paris. Juliet, outraged, refuses to comply. Fr. lawrence gives Juliet a potion which will make her appear dead. He promises to send a word to Romeo.
Juliet drinks the potion and everybody assumes that she is dead. Friar lawrence's letter fails to reach Romeo, so he assumes that his wife is dead. He rushes to Juliet's tomb and, in deep grief, drinks a vial of poison. Moments later, Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and kills herself due to grief. After this, the families get united. Stage lighting by Kamal Jain and music added much essence in the presentation. Further the realistic set was also appreciated.