Turn and Draw (watch below), a complementary short film shot in Coventry’s iconic cathedral grounds, has been released ahead of the 2025 world premiere of Romeo and Juliet, an innovative new version of Shakespeare’s play, originally scored with rap and R&B.
Romeo and Juliet will have its world premiere at the Belgrade Theatre from 21 February – 8 March 2025, with a national press night on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, before playing in Bristol from 12 March – 5 April 2025. This is unmistakably Shakespeare’s love story, unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important Plus One: rap.
Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well-loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.
The story shines with new, original elements of rap, as well as soul and R&B. It incorporates everyday English, as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.
Turn and Draw features performers Sam Baker-Jones (recently seen in Belgrade’s production of Swim, Aunty, Swim) and Khari Moore, alongside Corey Weekes and Keiran Hamilton-Amos from That’s A Rap, who will be lyricists on the stage production. The full casting and creative team for the stage show will be announced soon.
Belgrade Theatre’s Creative Director, Corey Campbell, who will also direct the show, commented: “The Belgrade’s Digital Media Academy is our 20-week digital training programme led by industry professionals, which gives people a grounding in a wide range of digital media skills. Thanks to vital funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we’ve been able to support them to work as trainees alongside a professional crew to create this short film, which is their artistic response to our upcoming theatrical production of Romeo and Juliet.
This is very much part of our co-creation model, where we tie in the activities of our groups across talent development, learning and participation, and education programmes with our on-stage programme. So, particularly our young people and young artists have early investment in the productions we’re creating and can see their creative productivity in action, both on and off the stage.”
A co-production with Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire, with set and costume design by Simon Kenny and in collaboration with local Midlands artists That’s A Rap (lyrics) and A Class (music), this will be the original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B: a Shakespearean lyrical love story – for people who love the music of the spoken word of every generation.
Corey Campbell continues, “Romeo and Juliet is a great example of how our approach to co-creating with our communities can work in practice. We had already been running workshops in Coventry’s Extended Learning Centres (ELCs) for a while when we started discussing the idea of creating a rap theatre production with a new local company called That’s a Rap. The company is all about challenging the way theatre incorporates rap as an artistic form, so we brought the two together, and now the young people from the ELCs are co-creating songs for the show with it.
The production will follow and respect Shakespeare’s text, but the songs will add a layer of context to ground it in a world that is recognisable for today’s young people. These young people have offered fresh insights into the play. Working with them, I’ve been struck by Romeo’s obsession with ending the violence that surrounds him. Growing up around rival gangs in Birmingham, I often saw fragile peace grow out of romantic relationships between members of clashing groups. Politics, and how it spills onto the streets, is also central: we’re casting Montague and Capulet as would-be political leaders, vying for favours from the Prince. This is where we’ll continue co-creating with audiences every night – they’ll be able to vote for which of the “dignified” households they’d like to see take charge.”
Nancy Medina, Artistic Director of the Bristol Old Vic, said, “I adored Corey’s vision for Romeo and Juliet and felt it would work brilliantly for Bristol audiences. Then, I saw a workshop and was totally blown away by it. The poetry of the lyrics, the tenderness of the storytelling, the kick-ass soundtrack! It was also wonderful to see the reaction in the room from young people who are on the journey of development for the production – Corey’s commitment to telling a story that reflects their experiences really matters. This is definitely Shakespeare, retold in such a compelling way that it’ll thrill existing fans and inspire a whole new generation of Shakespeare lovers.”
With the ever-growing popularity of rap music in drama, That’s A Rap aims to provide a blueprint for Theatre, Film and TV practitioners to maximise the impact of its use. With their guidance, support, and creative flair, dramatic rap will transition from novelty musical moments to integral parts of the narrative, elevating the work from an innovative idea to a spectacular product. That’s A Rap are active in the community, delivering workshops in storytelling and self-expression to community organisations, schools and Alternative Education Provisions. In the work they create, they strive to amplify the voices of the young people they work with, ensuring they feel seen and represented within the work That’s A Rap makes. With their commitment to the authentic presentation of rap music on stage, as well as the strong sense of social consciousness within the work, That’s A Rap creates work of the highest quality and impact.
Romeo and Juliet will be a Belgrade Theatre flagship in-house production. The show is part of a new strand of work under the leadership team’s creative vision for the people of Coventry and the wider region, marking the next step in Belgrade’s long-standing commitment to co-creation and artistic excellence.
Follow Us