Stage history

Like any great literary work, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been staged in widely different versions over the centuries. Every time, the director and actors have presented their individual take on Shakespeare’s famous love story. It is, however, not just a question of individual taste. We tend to read and adapt a literary work according to the tastes of the day. This is because we are influenced by the historical and cultural context we live in.

From the second part of the 17th century, the play was often altered extensively when staged. A popular alternative ending was to have Juliet wake up right before Romeo could kill himself, effectively removing the tragic ending. Many versions also turned up the comical elements as it was believed t...