WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
ROMEO AND JULIET
THE ORIGINAL PLAY, ORIGINALLY SCORED – WITH RAP AND R&B
HACKNEY EMPIRE 23 – 26 APRIL
FOLLOWING THE SHOW’S WORLD PREMIERE IN COVENTRY IN FEBRUARY
EXTRA ‘ENTRY FOR ALL’ PERFORMANCE ADDED – SATURDAY 26 APRIL @ 2PM – ENABLING FREE TICKETS FOR UNDER 25S AND THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO AFFORD TO ATTEND
This April, Hackney Empire will host a bold new production of Romeo and Juliet, blending Shakespeare’s original text with rap, R&B, and spoken word. A co-production between Belgrade Theatre Coventry, where the production will have its world premiere from 21 February – 8 March, and Bristol Old Vic where it will play from 12 March – 5 April, this Romeo and Juliet features original music by That’s A Rap and A Class, and promises to bring the poetry of rap rhythms and contemporary beats to Shakespeare’s most famous love story.
This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, largely unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important Plus One: rap.
Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.
The story shines with new, original elements of rap – as well as soul and R&B. Think every day English as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.
For the first time, these young musicians from Hackney Empire’s Creative Futures programme will perform as part of a professional theatre tour, bringing a fresh and contemporary energy to the show’s groundbreaking musical score.
Elijah Raheem Aduu (known as ERA – guitar), Mark Holder (drums) and D’evante Seepaul-Craig (keyboard) developed their skills through Hackney Empire’s Creative Futures programme, a pioneering participation initiative that has worked with over 20,000 young people in the last 20 years. After taking part in the Artist Development Programme (ADP) and other key Creative Futures projects, they have now been invited to join the professional band for the entire Romeo and Juliet tour, performing at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Bristol Old Vic, and Hackney Empire.
Elijah Raheem Aduu (ERA), said, "When I got sent the soundtrack, I fell in love with it immediately. I’ve been listening to it non-stop, and at this point, I just can’t wait to play."
Mark Holder added, "Being on ADP showed me how theatre works. Now, I can use that experience to move forward with confidence. Hackney Empire has developed my leadership skills and musicianship. It’s really great to have had people who have faith in me—now I can have faith in myself and take these opportunities."
Throughout the production, they will be mentored by Joseph Roberts, Director of Hackney Empire’s Community Choir, who will support their development as young musicians working professionally in theatre.
Joseph Roberts says, "I work with the young musicians of today so they can have a tomorrow, by giving them the best head start in the business of music."
Hackney Empire is also thrilled to announce an additional 2pm matinee performance on 26 April as part of their ‘Entry for All’ scheme, which provides free tickets for anyone aged 25 and under and those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to attend. Launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, Entry for All is designed to break down barriers to live theatre, ensuring that young people and underserved communities have access to high-profile performances. This performance will also be BSL Interpreted. Tickets for Entry for All are free but must be applied for here.
Lorna McGinty, Head of Learning and Participation at Hackney Empire, said, "This co-production is a really special collaboration for us at Hackney Empire as it brings together so many important elements of our work. From training and career pathways for young musicians to professional mentoring, school engagement, free performances, and community choir performances—we are proud to be celebrating so many local creatives and young people through this production."
As Corey Campbell further explains, this production of Romeo and Juliet offers a gateway to classical drama for new audiences. “The story’s emotional core—two people who shouldn’t love each other doing so despite the cost—remains hugely relevant. Their love is the only thing that forces their parents, the politicians, to wake up and see that love is better than war.”
The show, designed to appeal to both first-time theatre-goers and seasoned audiences, represents Corey’s vision of making classical works accessible. “Whether you love Shakespeare or think his work is ‘not for you,’ I promise this Romeo and Juliet has something for everyone.”
The professional company is Mia Khan (The Motive and the Cue, West End, Steeltown Murders, BBC1) as ‘Juliet’ and Kyle Ndukuba (making his professional debut) as ‘Romeo’, Yasmin Wilde (Billie The Kid, Vaudeville Theatre; Glitterball, RIFCO) as ‘Friar Lawrence’, Natasha Lewis (Brief Encounter, Stephen Joseph Theatre/Theatre By The Lake; All My Sons, Queens Theatre Hornchurch/New Wolsey Theatre) as ‘Nurse’, Asheq Akhtar (screen credits include Black Mirror, Man Like Mobeen, His Dark Materials; making his stage debut) as ‘Lord Capulet’, Lauren Moakes (The Gretchen Question, Fuel Theatre/Shipwright; You are Now
Approaching Old Red Lion Theatre) as ‘Lady Capulet’, Dillon Scott-Lewis (People, Places and Things, National Theatre and 42 Balloons, Vaudeville Theatre) as ‘Mercutio’, Andre Antonio (Aladdin, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Get Up Stand Up, West End) as ‘Benvolio’, Sam Gosrani (The Lovely Bones, Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Beyond The Rainbow, Welsh National Opera) as ‘Tybalt’, Elwyn Williams (The Butterfly Hunter, Theatr na nÓg; Just Jump/Y Naid, Theatr na nÓg) as ‘Paris’, Ellena Vincent (The Book of Grace, Arcola Theatre; Sylvia, Old Vic) as ‘Montague’, Pete Ashmore (Christmas in Exeter Street, Farnham Maltings’ Great Hall; Table Manners, Eastbourne Theatres) as ‘Prince Escalus’ and Ayesha Patel (Lizzie, Southwark Playhouse Elephant; Hope Mill Theatre; Go! The Musical, The Gatehouse) as ‘Rosalind’.
Originally written by William Shakespeare, this innovative co-production of Romeo and Juliet will be directed by Corey Campbell, with music and lyrics by A Class and That’s a Rap respectively, casting direction from Polly Jerrold with sets & costumes designed by Simon Kenny, lighting design by Chris Swain, choreography and movement direction from Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, vocal coach Simon Ratcliffe, fight direction by RC Annie – Rachel Bown Williams, video design from Barret Hodgson, digital content creation by Simone Herbert and Kieran Vyas, Reisz Amos will be both vocal arranger and community choir leader, joined by community choir mentors Corah Fowles and Yannick van den Bosse, camera operation from Michael Ellis and Logan Powell.