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Romeo and Juliet Learning PackContentsAbout This Pack .1Background Information .2Teaching Information .3Adaptation Details & Plot Synopsis.5Find Out More.101
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackAboutThis learning pack supports the NationalTheatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet,directed by Beijan Sheibani, which firstopened on 24th July 2013 at the National’sDorfman Theatre in London, and returnedwith a new cast shown here in 2016.Our packs are designed to support viewingthe recording on the National TheatreCollection. This pack provides links to theUK school curriculum and otherproductions in the Collection. It also has aplot synopsis with timecodes to allow youto jump to specific sections of the play.1
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackBackground InformationRecording Date – 21st February, 2017Location – Dorfman Theatre, National TheatreAge Recommendation – 8 CastTybalt.Suzie ToaseRomeo .Nana Amoo-GottfriedMercutio . Ashley GerlachSister Laurence .Kayla MeiklePrince . Ronak MeikleJuliet.Sharan PhullCapulet. Jay SaighalNurse . Tripti TripuraneniParis .Ronak PataniMrs Montague .Madeline AppiahAll other characters are played by members of the CompanyCreative TeamDirector .Bijan SheibaniPlaywright . William ShakespeareAdaptor. Ben PowerDesigner . Lucy SierraOriginal Design . Becs AndrewsComposer .Soumik DattaMusic Director .Joel FramLighting Director . Paul KnottMovement Director . Aline DavidSound Designer . Mike WinshipAssistant Director . Anastasia Osei-Kuffour2
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackTeaching InformationThis production is particularly suitable for: Teachers wishing to give primary pupils a first experienceof Shakespeare. English Literature students studying the play at Key Stage3 and above. Anyone with an interest in theatre for younger audiences.In particular you might like to explore: How this production makes the play relevant for a contemporaryaudience. How the fight scenes are represented in this version of the play. How the design helps to create the world of the play and helpsthe audience to differentiate between characters. The staging of the play in the round and how the audienceinteracts with the action.There are a number of other productions in the National TheatreCollection that relate to this one, which you and your studentsmay wish to explore alongside it.Other productions featuring members of the same creative teamProductionDateArtistMedea2014Ben Power - AdaptorMacbeth2017Lucy Sierra - DesignerMacbeth2017Paul Knott - Lighting DesignerThe Winter's Tale2018Lucy Sierra - DesignerThe Winter's Tale2018Paul Knott - Lighting DesignerAntigone2012Aline David - Movement Director3
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackTeaching InformationOther productions by William ie RourkeHamlet2010Nicholas HytnerJulius Caesar2018Nicholas HytnerKing Lear2011Michael GrandageMacbeth (Schools)2017Justin AudibertTwelfth Night2017Simon GodwinThe Winter’s Tale (Schools)2018Justin AudibertOthello2013Nicholas HytnerOther productions suitable for primary school studentsProductionDateWriter / AdaptorDirectorTreasure Island2014Bryony LaveryPolly FindlayPeter Pan2016Sally Cookson andThe CompanySally CooksonThe Winter's Tale2018William ShakespeareJustin AudibertJustin Audibert4
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackAdaptation Details & Plot SynopsisDifferences to Shakespeare’s original*Ben Power’s adaptation condenses Shakespeare’s tragedy to just overan hour while retaining the story in its entirety. This involved aneconomic re-writing of most scenes and cutting certain characters. Various minor characters, including Friar John, Peter, and servantsare cut or written into other characters. Act I Scene iv, including Mercutio’s ‘Queen Mab’ speech, is cut. The following scenes are also cut entirely: Act IV Scene ii, Act IVScene iv and Act V Scene ii. The characters of Montague and Lady Montague, and Capulet andLady Capulet, are condensed into two single characters: MrsMontague and Capulet respectively. The characters of Tybalt and Friar Laurence (Sister Laurence) arewomen.*Using Arden Shakespeare Third Series edition of Romeo and JulietThe Act and Scene in brackets indicate where the scene comes inShakespeare’s original play.Prologue: Mercutio reads Shakespeare’s famous prologue introducingthe characters and the story.Scenes 1 – 2 (Act I, Scene i) 0:01:13: Montagues and Capulets, tworival households in Verona, quarrel and fight in the street. Incensed byboth families constantly disturbing the peace, the Prince of Veronadecrees that the next person found fighting will be executed. Mercutiotries to cheer up Romeo Montague, who is lovesick for Rosaline.5
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackAdaptation Details & Plot SynopsisScene 3 (Act I, Scene ii) 0:07:09: Capulet announces they will hold aparty at their house tonight and sends out invitations to everyone apartfrom Montagues. Mercutio tells Romeo that Rosaline will be at the party,so they plot to attend in disguise.Scene 4 (Act I, Scene iii) 0:08:33: Capulet raises the prospect ofmarriage to his daughter Juliet, suggesting Count Paris would be anappropriate suitor. She says she has no desire to marry, but reluctantlyagrees to talk to Paris at the party. The guests start to arrive.Scene 5 (Act I, Scene v) 0:10:47: At the party Romeo (in disguise) spotsJuliet and is immediately infatuated. Tybalt recognises Romeo as aMontague and is enraged, but Capulet stops him from doing anythingas he does not want to spoil the party. Romeo and Juliet meet, danceand kiss. They then both realise the other is a member of the enemyfamily.6
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackAdaptation Details & Plot SynopsisScene 6 (Act II, Scene i) 0:17:51: Romeo hides from Mercutio, reluctantto leave without seeing Juliet again. Mercutio leaves without him.Scene 7 (Act II, Scene ii) 0:19:30: The balcony scene, where Romeoand Juliet vow their love for one another, in spite of their families’rivalry. They agree to marry tomorrow as Juliet is ushered inside by herNurse.Scene 8 (Act II, Scenes iii - v) 0:25:06: The next day Romeo visitsSister Laurence and explains what happened. She agrees to marrythem. Romeo relays this information to the Nurse, who in turn tellsJuliet.Scene 9 (Act II, Scene vi) 0:29:00: Romeo and Juliet are married.Scene 10 (Act III, Scene i) 0:32:40: Tybalt challenges Mercutio forhelping Romeo sneak into the party. Romeo enters but refuses to fightTybalt (who is now, unbeknownst to Tybalt, Romeo’s brother-in-law).7
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackAdaptation Details & Plot SynopsisTybalt and Mercutio fight as Romeo tries to break them up. During thescuffle Mercutio is mortally wounded and dies. Tybalt returns. Enragedand grief-stricken, Romeo fights and kills Tybalt. He flees. As news ofthe fighting gets out to the families, the Prince declares Romeobanished, and if he is seen in Verona again he will be killed.Scene 11 (Act III, Scene ii) 0:39:50: The Nurse tells Juliet that Tybalt isdead and Romeo killed him. Juliet is emotionally torn over the death ofher brother, but remains loyal to Romeo. She sends for Romeo so theycan spend a final night together.Scene 12 (Act III, Scene iii) 0:43:11: Sister Laurence helps Romeoprepare to leave for Mantua. Nurse tells him Juliet is grieving forTybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment.Scene 13 (Act III, Scene iv) 0:44:59: Paris comes to woo Juliet, butshe is grieving and won’t come down. Capulet tells him to come backon Thursday when they will be married.Scene 14 (Act III, Scene v) 0:45:55: The following morning Romeo andJuliet say goodbye to each other as he leaves Verona. Capulet entersand insults Juliet for her disobedience, demanding that she marry Parison Thursday. This leaves Juliet distraught who resolves to kill herself ifshe is forced to marry Paris. She plans to go to Sister Laurence foradvice.Scene 15 (Act IV, Scene i) 0:51:55: Paris makes arrangements withSister Laurence to marry Juliet on Thursday. Paris leaves, and SisterLaurence hatches a plan: she gives Juliet a potion that will put her in adeath-like coma. Everyone will think she is dead and she can escapewith Romeo. Sister Laurence sends a letter to Romeo to tell him theplan.8
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackAdaptation Details & Plot SynopsisScene 16 (Act IV, Scenes iii & v) 0:54:26: In her bedroom, Juliet takesthe potion and falls asleep. The next morning, Nurse finds herapparently dead. Capulet and Sister Laurence take her body away tochurch, mourning.Scenes 17 – 18 (Act V, Scene i) 0:57:27: The letter to Romeo failed tobe delivered. Balthasar informs Romeo of Juliet’s death. Romeo isbeside himself with grief and vows to kill himself and die next to her.Juliet’s funeral takes place. Romeo buys poison from a drug dealer.Scene 19 (Act V, Scene iii) 1:00:45: In Juliet’s tomb, Romeo drinks thepoison. Sister Laurence’s potion wears off and Juliet wakes up to findRomeo. They kiss and he dies. Juliet stabs herself and also dies. Theother characters enter and discover what happened. Montague andCapulet see their hatred caused this and agree to put the rivalry aside,erecting statues to the memory of the dead couple.The End9
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackFind out moreWatchThis series of videos introduces aspects of Romeo and Juliet toa younger audiences. It includes interviews with the cast thatperformed the production in 2013, before it was brought backwith a new cast in 2016.Introducing Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet: AdaptationRomeo and Juliet: LanguageRomeo and Juliet: Learn the MovementRomeo and Juliet: MovementOur general Shakespeare content:Shakespeare at the NT: The 21st CenturyShakespeare at the NT: Writer for TodayPerforming Shakespeare10
Romeo and Juliet Learning PackFind out moreThis series of videos introduces a younger audience to some of thefundamental roles in the theatre, to help them understand thedifferent people who work together to bring a play to life.What is an Actor?What is a Director?What is a Designer?What is a Composer?What is a Playwright?ExploreThe National Theatre’s digital exhibitions on Google Arts &Culture, including Shakespeare at the National Theatre.More materials relating to the production including thecostume bible, poster, prompt scripts, programme, stagemanagement reports and more are held at the NationalTheatre Archive, which is free to visit. Find out more here:https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/archive11
Balthasar informs Romeo of Juliet's death. Romeo is beside himself with grief and vows to kill himself and die next to her. Juliet's funeral takes place. Romeo buys poison from a drug dealer. Scene 19 (Act V, Scene iii) 1:00:45: In Juliet's tomb, Romeo drinks the poison. Sister Laurence's potion wears off and Juliet wakes up to find Romeo.
