Romeo & Juliet

Playing one of the most famous roles in one of the most famous plays of all time is a unique challenge for any actor, and one that Benjamin Winckle is facing in the Sydney Shakespeare Company’s forthcoming production.

“There is a weight to playing Romeo that I feel. Many people – if they only know one text, they’ll know Romeo & Juliet. They’ll be able to spin off quotes and misquotes of the famous lines,” he admits. And yet, rather than seek out a new twist or angle, Winckle believes the best way to perform the iconic character is tap into the pulse and soul of Shakespeare’s original text, and ignore the ubiquitous familiarity of it.

“If  you are going to recite the lines as if everybody knows them, it’s like you’re leading a pub song,” he explains.

What’s more important to Winckle is delivering the lines with sincerity and instinct. Having insight into and affinity with a character is paramount, and Winckle felt he understood Romeo on many levels.

Also important is having faith in the director, and Winckle is clearly in awe of Steven Hopley, especially with regard to Hopley’s knowledge of the Shakespearean universe.

“He’s like a living glossary,” Winckle says of Hopley’s ability to answer any question on any aspect of the bard.

In turn, Hopley is clearly in awe of Shakespeare:

“It’s great writing, it’s as simple as that…and he’s the greatest writer that ever lived.”

Hopley, who founded the Sydney Shakespeare Company, believes in staying true to the original text and staging as authentically as possible. This production will have period costumes and minimal sets, lighting and effects. Finding the right venue to create the right space is very important to Hopley. He’s particularly keen about the “black box” potential offered by The Pact Theatre:

“We’re making it as intimate as we can…we are trying to make it a slice of Verona.” (RB)

Sep 28–Oct 9; Wed–Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm. PACT Theatre 107 Railway Parade, Erskineville. $27-$37. Tickets & info: www.sydneyshakespearecompany.com

BY RITA BRATOVICH