Romeo and Juliet

The trouble with reviewing Aquila Theatre Company's Romeo and Juliet is that no other performance will be like the one I saw.

Before it starts each actor carries a small bag to a member of the audience and whatever role is pulled out is the one they will be playing. If they have already been allocated then there is a re-draw. The actors have learned every part and never know who they will be until the draw occurs.

Clearly this leads to some bizarre casting and at the performance I attended Romeo was big and bald while Juliet was male and bearded. There's no denying that there were occasional Reduced Shakespeare Company moments of absurdity, but the really surprising thing was how much of the play emerged unscathed and what a powerful reading resulted.

In spite of their apparent unsuitability for their roles, here was a Romeo whose teenage shallowness grew into genuine love and a Juliet whose passion and growing maturity led to a death of great power.

Some of the smaller roles were as good as I've ever seen. Lord Capulet (female) delivered a ferocious wedding ultimatum to his daughter. Friar Laurence (female) emanated a strength that's rare in the role. Even Paris (male), who's so often a wimp, came over as simply a man used to getting what he wants.

Tybalt (also Friar Laurence) was a tough arrogant street fighter. Mercutio (also Paris) delivered the Queen Mab speech with great wit and clarity. The Nurse (also Paris and Mercutio) stole all the scenes she was in, but then it's that sort of part.

On a completely open stage the sword fights were energetic and convincing. The clarity of the speaking allowed the audience a good understanding of the text, in fact there were a couple of jokes I've never noticed before.

Having the audience cast your play for you sounds like a gimmick but the result was a very good, edgy Romeo and Juliet.