More than a garden variety romance

HOBART company Directions Theatre is bringing its 20th annual Shakespeare production to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens next week, presenting a colourful, modern version of the world’s greatest love story.

Directions Theatre produces a different Shakespeare play in the Gardens each summer, with recent shows including The Merry Wives of

Windsor (2017), Much Ado About Nothing (2016), The Comedy of Errors (2015) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2014). This year, Directions is bringing Shakespeare’s timeless story of starcrossed lovers and feuding families to the Gardens, as they put a modern spin on the classic Romeo & Juliet.

The play famously follows the fate of love-struck teenagers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who find themselves in the middle of a long-running feud between their families.

Married in secret, Romeo and Juliet hope their families can reconcile their differences. But when short tempers lead to deadly consequences, the young lovers find themselves alone, facing impossible odds and making desperate decisions.

Directed by CJ Bowers, Romeo &

Juliet stars Adam King, Gilbert Williams, Jared Goldsmith, Marcus Johnson, Natalie Venettacci, Tai Gardner, Lillie McNamarra, Victoria Bremner and Lochie Dew.

“Romeo & Juliet is the love story that people return to again and again,” Bowers says.

“The passion and energy within the play has always felt fresh and contemporary.

“The language and story of this play are a joy to work with. It is all about a young couple that risk all they have to be together.” Directions Theatre presents Romeo &

Juliet in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (enter via the top gate) from February 9-March 3, with performances at 7pm Tuesday-Saturday. Tickets are $25, $15 concession, or $65 for a family of four. For bookings go to www.centertainment.com.au or phone 62345998.