Romeo and Juliet in 15 Minutes 

Devised, directed and narrated by Peter Goers

The Barbara Hardy Garden @ Holden Street Theatres

Review by John Doherty, That Guy in the Foyer

22 February- 23 March, 2025

★★★★1/2

Romeo and Juliet in 15 Minutes?  A famous tale of the heart, a most gripping tragedy, now comedic art; Oh, how can this be?

Peter Goers’ transformation of Shakespeare’s most well-known play into an fast paced interlude retaining the narrative thread of the original tale, peppered with lightly bawdy jokes, and featuring a pantomime style dame is great entertainment!

With its rambling English garden ambiance, the Barbara Hardy Garden is the perfect venue for this clever parody.

Goers, in red kimono, opens with, not surprisingly, an abridged version of the Prologue, the cast, seated at the edge of the garden performance space opposite the audience, providing response and commentary, a nice nod to a very traditional theatrical device.

This juxtaposition of the comedic with the original narrative sets the tone for the rest of the show. The “young guns” of the cast are magnificent! Christopher Cordeaux is a dashing, suitably moody and tragic Romeo, while Ruby Patrich plays love struck Juliet beautifully; somehow Patrich succeeds in balancing the silliness of the piece with the gravitas of Juliet’s situation, quite a feat! Leighton Vogt and Archie Rowe across several roles- Mercutio, Tybalt and Paris- are variously charming, noble, cunning, and courageous- and very funny! Dance and fight scenes, cleverly choreographed by Annie Gaborit, also somehow manage to balance gravitas with humour, a consistent feature of the show.

Deborah Caddy and Brian Wellington are strong in the roles of both Capulet and Montague parents, the warring parties in the narrative. The “dame” of the troupe, Robert Cusenza, resplendent in pink wig and ghastly make up and costume, is Juliet’s Nurse.  Hilariously, the Nurse frequently interjects, but you’ll have to see the show to understand the humour! Well-meaning meddler, Friar Laurence, is played well by David O’Brien who brings a tinge of witty cynicism to the role. 
Goers’ distinctive sonorous narration from downstage is the icing on a well baked cake that is very moreish! A most enjoyable fifteen minutes at Holden Street Theatres!

Go! See it!