This time around The Globe has given the Bard’s classic romantic tragedy an American Wild West setting, a bold reimagining that showcases the reckless energy of youth to perfection against the backdrop of an anarchic, chaotic frontier.

Romeo and Juliet the story
Star-crossed lovers experience deadly consequences in Shakespeare’s greatest love story, originally set in Italy but this time played out against the brutal backdrop of the Wild West in a thrilling new production. When the young heirs of two feuding families fall in love their passion ignites violence, saloon fights, feverish partying and killer gunfights. The town is on the brink of destruction, divided by the star-crossed lovers, a place of rough justice where true love turns out to be fatal. The optimism and vitality of youth has no chance of survival in this shocking tragedy.

About Romeo and Juliet
Written some time between 1591 and 1595, and first published in 1597, this is one of Shakespeare’s early works. Among his most popular plays during his lifetime and one of the most often performed, the title characters are the archetypal young lovers.

In 2009 Shakespeare’s Globe produced a version directed by Dominic Dromgoole, starring Adetomiwa Edun as Romeo and Ellie Kendrick as Juliet. Roll time forwards to 2013 and it ran on Broadway at Richard Rodgers Theatre with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad starring. A production starring Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers took to the stage at the Duke of York’s Theatre in spring 2024, directed by Jamie Lloyd, and another with Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler hit Broadway for late 2024, with music by Jack Antonoff. This new show marks yet another version of a beloved story that never grows old.

Romeo and Juliet cast and creatives
Abdul Sessay and Lola Shalam play Romeo and Juliet, with Niamh James as Abram/Cover, Roman Asde as Benvolio, Léa des Garets as Lady Capulet and John Lightbody as Friar Lawrence. Michael Elcock plays Mercutio, Jamie-Rose Monk is the Nurse, and Rawaed Asde plays Tybalt.

Joining Sean Holmes in the creative team are designer Paul Wills, composer Grant Olding, fight director Maisie Carter, and movement director Tamsin Hurtado-Clarke. The text is by Si Trinder, voice by Liz Flint, and casting by Becky Paris.

Shakespeare’s timeless love story unfolds in the American Wild West at Shakespeare’s Globe. Experience the passion and tragedy of Romeo and Juliet in the beautiful outdoor surroundings this year.