Brisbane review - Romeo and Juliet Connects with an 80s Vibe.

By Lilian Harrington

Production: Romeo and Juliet

Writer: William Shakespeare

Company: St Lukes Theatre Society

Directors: June Balfour, Nigel Munro- Wallis

Location: St Lukes, 193 Ekibin Road East, Tarragindi. Qld. 4121

Season: March13- 28 Fri/Sat 7. 30pm and Mat. 2 pm

Bookings: STLUKESTHEATRE.ASN.AU

Why do directors of this popular Shakespearian play Romeo and Juliet adapt it into the 80’s era? Director June Balfour says she wanted to bring a better understanding of the play to an audience. Changing Romeo and Juliet to the 80s era enables the audience to access Shakespeare so his work becomes more relatable and has a higher meaning in a modern context. The original text and language are kept and viewers connect with teenage emotions and youthful social rebellion; the 80s holds an intense nostalgia with its music and style. This connection was noticeable from the moment the audience stepped into the new theatre at St Lukes Theatre Society, where Romeo and Juliet opened an energized version of this play.Technically the show was simply staged with a centre screen placed on a rostrum, that was rotated by cast to make scene changes, plus an altar that could be adapted when needed. The lighting was unsophisticated, but special effects were seen at the crypt in the last Act. The actors entered from the sides of the curtained stage, or through the auditorium, at times interacting with the seated audience.

The 1980’s costumes mirrored the intense emotions of the teenagers and displayed the big hair and chosen styles, but some cast needed to be more aware of their character’s status they were portraying and should have reconsidered some of their styling choices. In contrast, the iconic pop music chosen enhanced the scenes and reached out to viewers, giving the play an energy and a special vibe.

The team work the viewers witnessed helped to highlight the director’s focus of bringing people back together and creating a better world through the “medium” of the play, gave the production a good momentum.

The story of Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers, from two warring houses, (the House of Capulet and the House of Montague), meet at a ball, held at the House of Capulet, where Romeo (Lachlan Gregory Hugh) has gone in disguise. He meets Juliet (Lillian Dowdell), they fall in love and marry in secret.  The recently married Romeo, is banished from Verona after a street fight, when Juliet’s cousin Tybalt is killed, and Romeo has been seen defending his friend the slain Mercutio.

Lord Capulet (Matthew Hobbs), who represents parental control, has betrothed Juliet to Paris (Matthew Ginman), a wealthy businessman in Verona. Juliet seeks help from Friar Lawrence. He gives her a sleep potion and sends a message off to Romeo, to inform him of events, but he never receives it. Romeo arrives at the crypt, sees Juliet lying “dead”, and drinks a poison to die with her. She awakes, realizes that Romeo is dead, and kills herself in grief. Peace is only reached between the two households when Prince Escalus (Eamonn Clohesy) arrives.

Strong performances were seen from Friar Lawrence, (Gary Kliger), the very believable dithery, “misguided” priest, with a risky plan to keep Romeo and Juliet together. Tracy Nurse (Ellie Bickerdike), played an exceptionally raunchy, comedic, mischievous character, full of self-assurance and depth. Of special mention: Romeo Montague (Lachlan Gregory Hugh), Benvolio Montague (Giorgio Impiccini), Tybalt (Troy Cations) and Mercutio (Madelyn Scott) showed great credibility and belief.

St Lukes Theatre Society ‘s presentation of Romeo and Juliet, augurs well for the rest of their 2026 program.