R & J

The Dream in High Park..... each year the outdoor auditorium in Toronto's High Park is the setting for one of Shakespeare's plays. This year it was the romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.  Shakespeare wrote this play some time between 1591 and 1595.  It was one of Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime along with Hamlet (last year's play), and is one of his most frequently performed. 

Shakespeare contrasts some of his very serious scenes with comedy, and as female roles were normally played by men in the 16th century, some of the scenes must have been very funny to audiences of the day.

This summer theatre tradition of Shakespeare Under the Stars has been running for 42 years.  I took Older Son to the park to see Romeo and Juliet when he was just a kid and even though he decided he wasn't going to enjoy it and wouldn't understand it, he loved it. And now I'm going with him and Oldest Grandson to see it again. We took folding chairs and sat high up at the back. a great view, and I didn't want to sit on the ground, I'm too old for that!

The ill-fated lovers come from rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues, families locked in a brutal feud. They meet.... fall in love.... secretly marry in spite of their families.... and you know the rest.

Here is Romeo conversing with the good Friar.... and below here is Juliet on the balcony outside her bedroom. Oh so romantic.

But as we all know, there was not a happy outcome to this story.  A terrific evening's entertainment. I wonder what play will be performed in 2026.