Romeo and Juliet - School Play
One of Shakespeare's most famous works, [b]"Romeo and Juliet"[/b] is one of the most widely-performed plays on high school and college stages. The tale of two young lovers who come from feuding families in Verona during the 1500s, "Romeo and Juliet" is filled with beautiful, poetic language and highly emotional dialogue perfect for young actors to show off their skills. Even minor characters are gifted with great dialogue and action in this story of ill-fated love. While more traditional costumes are recommended here for authenticity to the original time frame of Shakespeare's version, directors may also wish to use more modern costumes similar to the 1996 film version starring Claire Daines and Leonardo DiCaprio. While Shakespeare's original dialogue remained intact, the costumes and setting of the Baz Luhrmann-directed movie in a contemporary California suburb. [b]Romeo Montague[/b] The lovelorn young man caught in the middle of the feud between the warring Montagues and Capulets, Romeo loves Juliet and intends to prove to her the depth of his feelings no matter what the cost. Owing to Romeo's poetic nature, a billowy [url=http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/characters.html]poet[/url] shirt or blouse would be a good costume item to build his look around. Tight leggings worn underneath a pair of leather boots are also in keeping with the [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/italian+renaissance/]Italian Renaissance[/url] look of the period. [b]Juliet Capulet[/b] Juliet is the young girl from aristocratic stock who has fallen in love with Romeo. At the beginning of the play, her parents Lord and Lady Capulet are attempting to betroth her to the pretentious Paris, a relative of the Prince. Highly romantic and willing to do anything for love, Juliet defies her parents and those closest to her to be with Romeo. To reflect Juliet's innocence, a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/renaissance+maiden/] renaissance maiden[/url] costume in pastel colors would work nicely. Regal, yet still feminine and reflective of her sweet nature, lighter colors would distinguish Juliet nicely from the older female characters in the play who may wear darker colors. [b]Nurse[/b] Something of a comic relief character, Nurse is Juliet's nanny since she was a baby. Graced with some of the raunchier lines in the play, Nurse is probably the second largest female role in "Romeo and Juliet." In spite of her sexual nature, the middle-aged servant woman to the Capulet family and Juliet has a kind heart and is willing to help out young Juliet, regardless of how foolish she believes her to be. The lone female character who acts in a servile capacity, the Nurse is best dressed in a costume in darker colors and less ornate than Juliet and Lady Capulet, to indicate her as more of a common woman. Considering her bawdy nature, maybe a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/medieval+wench/]Medieval wench costume[/url] would fit the bill in helping to illustrate Nurse's down-to-earth character. [b]Friar Lawrence[/b] As the kindly monk who attempts to protect and eventually weds Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence plays a small, yet important role in Shakespeare's tragedy. Traditionally dressed in the clothing of a man of the clergy during medieval or Renaissance times, a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/monk/]monk[/url] costume and [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/monk+wig/]monk wig[/url] will make for a convincing Friar Lawrence. [b]Mercutio[/b] The name says it all. Possessed of a mercurial and explosive nature, Mercutio is a good friend to Romeo as well as his antithesis. In addition to getting involved in and provoking fights throughout the play, Mercutio attempts to convince Romeo to adopt his own view of "love," which leans more towards the sexual than it does romantic. One of the most memorable and intriguing characters in the play, Mercutio's wardrobe should be slightly flashy, indicative of his "ladies' man" sort of nature. A form-fitting costume built around a renaissance-styled [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/vest/]vest[/url] in a deep color, such as burgundy, would work well. Mercutio also needs a character a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/sword/]sword[/url] sword for his duel with Tybalt. [b]Benvolio[/b] Another character whose nature is somewhat reflected by his name, Benvolio is the kind, benevolent friend and cousin to Romeo who tries to play peacemaker between the warring and dueling males on both the Montague and Capulet sides. Similar in personality to Romeo of all of the supporting male characters, Benvolio's placid nature is best reflected by a simple yet slightly ornate men's [url= http://www.costumzee.com/ideas/renaissance/?page=1&&pp=32]renaissance[/url] costume. [b]Tybalt[/b] Tybalt is Juliet's cousin and a counterpart to Mercutio on the opposing side. Both Tybalt and Mercutio have violent tendencies. Tybalt's however, is buffered by vanity and pride as opposed to the somewhat more fun-loving nature of Mercutio. A flashy and flamboyant character, Tybalt should be dressed regally yet with a dash of fashionable flair. A [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/renaissance+gold/]gold Renaissance[/url] styled shirt would be a great start to his stage ensemble. Another important prop for Tybalt to have is a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/fencing+sword/]fencing sword[/url] for his duels with both Mercutio and Romeo. [b]Paris[/b] A relative of Prince Escalus and the man whom Capulet wishes his daughter to marry. Although highly influential, Paris appears to be a controlling and demanding figure, particularly towards Juliet, his intended. Paris, a direct kinsman of the Prince, should wear a slightly more ornate costume than any of the male or female leads to denote his status further up the royal ladder, possibly with a richly embroidered gold [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/vest/]vest[/url] and a plumed hat. [b]The Parents:[/b] [b]Lord and Lady Capulet[/b] Hardly candidates for "Parents of the Year," Lord and Lady Capulet have long left the actual parenting to Juliet's Nurse. While they love their daughter, the Capulets are not very patient or understanding of Juliet's feelings. Lord Capulet is subject to bouts of rage. They attempt to do what they think is best for Juliet by setting her up with the influential Paris. [b]Lord and Lady Montague[/b] The sworn enemy (for unexplained reasons in the play) of Capulet, Montague is concerned for the well-being of his naïve and overly romantic son who is prone to falling in love with the idea of love. Lady Montague is a similarly sensitive parent, grief-stricken when her son is exiled. In order to create the look of warring families, Lord and Lady Capulet should, as a couple, wear complimentary colors to one another's ornate, royal attire -- in a very different color from those of Lord and Lady Montague. Both couples, while not necessarily having to completely match and color coordinate, should wear costumes in the same color family, to indicate their same status and loyalty to one another. [b]Servants[/b] Both the Montagues and Capulets have intensely loyal servants. On the Montague side, there are Balthasar and Abraham. On the Capulet side, are Sampson, Gregory, and Peter. Although their station is considerably lower than those of some of the major characters, these servants have their fair share of drama, often instigating fights or acting on behalf of their respective masters. In keeping with the theme of showing loyalty to a particular family, the Montague servants should wear a different color than the Capulet servants to indicate who works for who. A number of [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/peasant/]peasant costumes[/url] in a variety of earth-toned colors such as tan, dark brown, and black are available to help achieve this look.
