Romeo and Juliet reviewed: a timeless tale of undying love
As I walked through the gates of the Msida Bastion Gardens, a smile came across my face at the thought of how WhatsTheirNames Theatre could not have picked a more fitting setting for their take on William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers.
The tranquil historic garden is the final resting place of diplomats, war heroes and even the father of the Maltese language, Mikiel Anton Vassalli. Yet, as I walked among the headstones, all I could think about was whether their death had caused agonising grief to their loved ones. Did they ever experience love as deep, lustful and, perhaps, as forbidden as that of Romeo and Juliet?
My thoughts aside, I luckily managed to find a seat in the last row while the audience settled for the final (and sold-out) performance of Romeo and Juliet, WhatsTheirNames’ seventh Shakespeare production.
Staged at the Msida Bastion Gardens between June 21 and 26 under the direction of Philip Leone-Ganado, the play featured Gianni Selvaggi, Tina Rizzo, Joseph Zammit, Joe Azzopardi, Becky Camilleri and Sandie Von Brockdorff.
What I believe makes people come back to WhatsTheirNames’ Shakespeare productions, and arguably what lures in new viewers, is...