Directing Romeo and Juliet

Directing Romeo and Juliet

In this assignment I will be directing act 3 scene one lines 35-136 of

the tragic play Romeo and Juliet I intend to use lighting, music, tone,

and facial expression to affect the audiences emotions.

Introduction

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In this assignment I will be directing act 3 scene one lines 35-136 of

the tragic play Romeo and Juliet I intend to use lighting, music,

tone, and facial expression to affect the audiences emotions.

I have chosen to use theatre rather than film, because although film

is more versatile with special effects etc, I think it is more

dramatic when the action is happening directly in front of the

audience.

Shakespeare Assignment: Romeo and Juliet

I would set the scene using a background of a typical Verona street

without any indication of the time the play is set. I would continue

this theme throughout the play, in the style of the clothes and inside

buildings etc. I think this would be better than having the actors and

scenery in a stereotypical Shakespearean style for example; having the

actors in tights and breeches because it would be more original so

would create more dramatic impact.

I would keep the clothes and buildings simple and minimalistic so that

they are easy to make and wouldn't distract the audience's attention

from the story, acting, and language, which should be good enough to

captivate the audience.

I would dress the actors in colours that reflect the characters

personalities and the mood they are in. Romeo would be all in white to

represent purity; this would also remind the audience of his recent

marriage to Juliet, illustrating the dramatic irony of this scene.

In contrast to Romeo, Tybalt should be dressed in red and black,

reflecting his "fiery" personality. In this scene Romeo should appear

innocent and Tybalt nasty and evil.

Benvolio, being irrelevant for the duration of the scene would wear

beige or grey to give the impression of neutrality.

Mercutio would be wearing bright colours, but still looking

sophisticated because of his relation to the prince. He would have to

stand out from the rest of the characters on stage because he is often

the centre of attention.

I would begin the scene with bright lighting, to make it seem like a

"hot" day as previously described by Benvolio (act3/scene/1line2).

As the mood intensifies t...

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...ience anticipate

the events that they know are destined to happen.

With the entrance of Tybalt, the anger Romeo feels and the tension in

the audience should reach its peak, as Tybalt rushes in angrily

wielding his sword looking "furious" and "fiery". Romeo should now

address Tybalt coldly, and draws his sword quickly, to show that he is

now determined to kill Tybalt and avenge the death of his friend.

I would have Romeo and Tybalt in the centre of the stage, with a

strong spotlight following them as they fight, casting shadows, which

would greatly enhance the anger and sadness the characters feel.

Tybalt should be killed quickly, with none of the confusion in

Mercutios death, to reinforce Romeos determination.

When Tybalt is down, Romeo should kneel on the floor, his clothes now

covered with both Mercutios and Tybalts blood.

In his despair, he ignores Benvolio, who warns him about "the

Citizens" and the scene ends with him alone in the bright spotlight,

when he cries "oh I am Fortunes fool", directed at the audience,

rather than Benvolio, once again echoing the theme of fate, as in the

prologue and the visions both Romeo and Juliet have before this scene