THE MOST EXCELLENT AND LAMENTABLE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
the zoey louise moonbeam dawson shakespeare company

Presented at fortyfivedownstairs

March 2012

The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Zoey Dawson
Performed by Carolyn Butler, Brigid Gallacher, Devon Lang Wilton, Laura Maitland, Naomi Rukavina and Nikki Shiels
Set and Costume Design by Zoe Rouse
Sound Design by Claudio Tocco

Lighting Design by Yasmin Santoso
Choreography by james Welsby
Stage Management by Harriet Gregory

Photography by Theresa Harrison

“The more I give, the more I have.” – Juliet, Act II

Juliet Capulet is 13. And she is getting older every day.

The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is an examination of the psychological landscape of one of literature's most famous – and youngest - heroines. Dangerously contemporary, it re-imagines Shakespeare’s iconic love story within the erotically-charged world of teenage girls.

Featuring six of the most exciting young actresses in Australia, Zoey Dawson’s groundbreaking production tackles Romeo and Juliet’s underrepresented but volatile themes of violence, youth suicide and the sexualisation of children.

THE AGE "Heralds the arrival of a fresh and exciting theatre-maker, this vigorous adaptation elucidates the character of Juliet like no other… directed with emotional intelligence and stacks of sass."

THE AUSTRALIAN "Skill verging on genius… tremendously affecting, raw and vulnerable."

AUSTRALIAN STAGE "Simply breathtaking… This is Shakespeare unmasked and a fascinating look into the psychology of Juliet."

THE HERALD SUN "Ambitious and imaginative… memorable and inventive."

PROMPTSIDE "A dangerously intimate performance… this work is as soft, ravishing and commending as Juliet's inner thigh."

​AUSSIE THEATRE "Dawson creates theatre from an authentic and positive female perspective… remarkable… haunting implications."