Hull Truck Theatre are thrilled to announce their exciting open-air staging of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, running from 15 July – 7 August 2021 at Stage @TheDock.
The title roles will be played by Jordan Metcalfe and Laura Elsworthy – who audiences will recognise from The Hypocrite and The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca, both performed in 2017 as part of the Hull City of Culture celebrations.
The theatre recently opened the doors of their Ferensway home after 15 months of closure, due to the pandemic.
Whilst the socially distanced Homecomings Season continues at the theatre this summer, the company are delighted to present Shakespeare’s tragic love story in the stunning al fresco surroundings of Stage @TheDock, supported by Wykeland Group.
The two lead actors, both born and bred in Hull, have a wealth of experience between them spanning not only Theatre, but across Film and Television.
At a young age, Jordan starred as Jake in The Queen’s Nose and has most recently played Huck in Casualty. Laura recently featured on ITV2 as recurring character, Maya in Plebs and also appeared in the live-action remake of Cinderella in 2015.
This is the first time they will be playing a couple on stage, in one of the greatest and most-renowned love stories ever told. A play very fitting since their own offstage love story is pretty magical in itself.
Although they grew up around the corner from each other, they became a couple when they returned to Hull in 2017, to perform in The Hypocrite.
In the summer of 2018, they married in Shakespeare’s home county of Stratford-upon-Avon whilst Laura was performing in Miss Littlewood for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
This summer, the streets of Verona are transported to Hull, in the breath-taking surroundings of Stage @TheDock, a converted dockyard space that perfectly embodies Hull’s industrial past, present and future.
Romeo & Juliet will be staged in traverse – meaning the audience will be sat on either side of the stage, similar to a catwalk, and close to the action. Shakespeare’s timeless tale of passion and tragedy, set in a divided society, is as fresh and relevant now as it has ever been.
Mark Babych, Artistic Director of Hull Truck Theatre, said: “After such a difficult year for everyone, it’s thrilling to be able to bring Shakespeare’s most famous love story to the dramatic setting of Hull’s iconic Stage @TheDock.
“This production, led by two local powerhouse performers, marks my first foray into outdoor theatre and I can’t wait to start rehearsals and share this timeless tale with our amazing audiences.”
Natalia Cleary, Events Co-ordinator of Wykeland Group, said: “We’re delighted our support has enabled Hull Truck Theatre to move outdoors and stage its biggest production since live performances were allowed to resume.
“We’re providing our Stage @TheDock venue in the Fruit Market as in kind support, as well as use of our new C4DI building just yards away as a rehearsal space in the weeks leading up to the production, as part of our commitment to the revival of the arts and culture in Hull following the pandemic.
“This partnership with Hull Truck will introduce many more people to Stage @TheDock as a unique performance space perfect for these socially distanced times.
“The location is also ideal, with so many great restaurants, bars and cultural venues in the Fruit Market for audience members to visit before or after the performances and the Fruit Market multi-storey car park just yards from Stage @TheDock.”
For more information, dates and tickets, visit https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/
