Everything flows in Jack Nieborg’s stunning ‘Romeo and Juliet’ adaptation at the Globetheater in Diever | review ★★★★★

Jack Nieborg has thoroughly mixed things up for his new adaptation of the Shakespeare classic. In the Globe Theater of the Shakespeare Theater Diever, Romeo and Juliet are one person (a star role by Leon van Esveld), who is in love with two members of the hostile Capuletti family in Verona: Rosalinde (Iris Kelder) and Paris (Siebren de van der Schueren). ), her intended husband.

Rosalinde (in the original she is Juliet’s predecessor as Romeo’s lover, but plays no further role) appears on stage at Nieborg for the first time, where she takes the place of Juliet (also in her lyrics). In the famous balcony scene, the love triangle is beautifully designed with Paris and Romeo both hanging from the beams, ogling each other. Are you still there?

Something in between

Well, this cannot be explained in short terms. Go see for yourself! The point is that not only Romeo (and/or Juliet) and Paris struggle with their identity and sexuality in Nieborg’s adaptation. It also applies to many other, especially younger characters, which is reflected in the costuming, among other things. For example, Tybaldo (played by a woman) passionately kisses Romeo before being shot dead by Romeo (in revenge for Mercutio’s murder).

Everything flows in this one Romeo and Juliet, in which Romeo sighs in the beginning that he ‘doesn’t want to be one or the other, but something in between’ and where surprisingly enough the original storyline (and text) is largely followed. It not only gives the play a topical, but also a deepening charge. For example, the famous statement ‘what’s in a name?’ there is an extra dimension in Nieborg’s version.

In the meantime, there is of course a lot to laugh about and there are wonderful finds in the set construction (the church and especially the crypt at the castle). Also very beautiful is the role of Father Lorenzo (Edwin Frei), who stands by the struggling Romeo and advises as best as possible in his/animal multiple love perils. His analysis of the rather selfish love struggles of the youngsters is as mild as it is sharp.

Death as redemption

It is claimed that Romeo and Juliet is about romantic love, but all things considered it is a story of murder and manslaughter that demonstrates the tragic inability of love to overcome hate. Then death can come as redemption, but even that is not granted to Romeo/Julia in Nieborg’s adaptation.

It is a wonderful find in a very clever arrangement that rubs in the tragedy of love even more. Whatever you are and whoever you like – man, woman or something in between – love is still a struggle.