Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" in Performance : Traditions and Departures

"Romeo and Juilet" has enjoyed great popularity on the stage from Shakespeare's time onward, but is not a faverouite with literary critics who view it as an immature study for the greater tragedies that would follow.

This study seeks to show that acting, directing and stage design are acts of interpretation to be judged alongside the readings of literary scholars.

It is a study of selected actors in the play's three main roles.

The Romeos treated at length are those of Richard Burbage, David Garrick, Johnston Forbes-Robertson and Laurence Olivier.

Juliet is examined on the basis of the interpretations by the boy-actor of Shakespeare's day, George-Anne Bellamy, Susannah Cibber, Adelaide Neilson and Peggy Ashcroft.

Finally, Mercutio is studies through the interpretations by Henry Woodward, Charles Kemble, John Gieldgud, Leo Ciceri and others.