Theatre Victoria lays its scene in fair Verona in its upcoming adaptation of William ShakespeareƵs infamous play about infamous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

In this adaptation, audiences will get to watch the story they know be told in a whole new way.

ƵIf you think Shakespeare isnƵt for you, youƵre wrong,Ƶ Tom Schilb, director and writer for Theatre VictoriaƵs adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, said. ƵShakespeare is for everybody. Somethings donƵt change after centuries.Ƶ

While Theatre VictoriaƵs adaptation of Romeo and Juliet will take place in the 1990s, readers of the classic play will be delighted to know that the play will still feature Elizabethan English.

ƵThis language holds up to the test of time. Although we have had to change a few lines where necessary, we kept all the iconic lines you know and love,Ƶ Schilb said. ƵIts easier to understand than you realize and, eventually, the ƵthousƵ and ƵtheesƵ fade into the background.Ƶ

As a child of the 1990s, Schilb felt it was important to retell Romeo and Juliet three decades in the past, prior to the wide use of cellphones which, arguably, would solve most of the conflicts in the play.

ƵThe show features real world rivalries. WeƵre in Texas, so we have to rival colleges and football teams,Ƶ Schilb said. ƵThe show is less about romance and more about the people who get hurt by this rivalry.Ƶ

In this adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, Capulet College and Montague Institute are at odds, with alternative kid Romeo and cheerleader Juliet stuck in the middle of it.

ƵI leaned into RomeoƵs moodiness and his impulsiveness,Ƶ Dominic Schaefer who plays Romeo said. ƵHeƵs a playful kid with deep emotions.Ƶ

For Juliet, Olivia Mahan has drawn inspiration from the women in her life to create a livelier, more relatable version of her classic character.

ƵPeople play ShakespeareƵs characters so wooden sometimes,Ƶ Mahan said. ƵJuliet has real emotions and we deal with some pretty heavy themes at times.Ƶ

For the past few weeks, Theatre Victoria has spent late nights studying Shakespearean English to the point that their delivery of the iconic lines from the 1600s becomes natural.

ƵIf you have only read the play and didnƵt like it, give it another chance,Ƶ Schilb said. ƵIf you read it but never saw it, come and watch the show.Ƶ

The cast of Romeo and Juliet said audiences should look forward the Tybalt and Mercutio battle and the adapted on stage combat scenes.

Madison can be reached by email at mohara@vicad.com.

Madison works at the Victoria Advocate as a multi-media journalist. She was born and raised here in Victoria.