The SirKenBranCo season at the Garrick has put two of my least favourite Shakespeare
plays at the centre of its programming, and where
The Winter's Tale at least had
Dame Judi bringing attention to one of the unsung standout roles in that play, a
couple of good turns don't stop
Romeo and Juliet from being every bit as much
of a chore as I usually dread (and am occasionally pleasantly surprised, but not
often.) This time SirKenBran doesn't take to the stage himself, sharing directing
duties with Rob Ashford for the story of two wealthy Verona families who've been at
war for generations, for reasons long-forgotten. Romeo Montague (Richard Madden)
sneaks into a party held by the rival Capulets in hopes of bumping into Rosaline,
the girl he fancies, but forgets her as soon as he spots Juliet (Lily James.)
