Behind the scenes: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s Romeo & Juliet

While some may be content with the traditional panto for a festive night’s entertainment, others prefer more of a theatrical performance to warm their hearts.

The students of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School are performing a reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, though they are certainly not highlighting the romantic elements of the classic play in their production.

Theatregoers can expect to be blown away by the final year talent showcased in a more war-fuelled reimagining of the renowned tragedy, as director Aaron Parsons states: “Through the celebration of violence, there is an expression of the self”.

Bristol24/7 visited the cast and crew during their rehearsals to find out more about the show:

“Audiences should expect a performance that is honest, energetic, full of love and loss, that reflects the world we live in now,” says Parsons.

The themes of violence and war that are at the forefront of this production have given designer Aldo Vázquez and costume supervisor Ruby Nex the challenge of creating costumes that both represent the Shakespearean era, whilst also being suitable for several fight scenes.

“My role as costume supervisor is to basically make all of Aldo’s designs come to life,” explains 19-year-old Nex. “There are projects here, which in the world of fashion would take months to make, but we’ve made in the space of two weeks, maybe less.”

Discussing the collaboration behind this performance, Vázquez reflects: “The costume, in a way, doesn’t take centre stage but rather it complements the overall design, and I don’t think it’s trying to follow any kind of stereotypes.”

Tanvi Virmani, 21, will be playing one of the lead titular roles of Juliet. For her, the emphasis on war and loss in the performance is exciting and is confronted in a way the audience won’t expect.

“That’s a good thing about Shakespeare. You don’t have to be so subtle with it, you can just go for it,” she says.

Asked how it feels to be back on stage since the pandemic affected face-to-face projects, Virmani is unequivocal: “It’s so lovely now to feel your presence on stage and actually speak out to the audience in person again, not on screens.”

Director Aaron Parsons, Tanvi Virmani as Juliet and Anna-Sophia Tutton as Nurse in Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s 2021 production of Romeo & Juliet – photo: Rachel Holman

Parsons’ intention for the play is to make audiences aware that for him, growing up in Hartcliffe, “violence was part of the currency of existing”.

He explains: “It feels really relevant and present that these young people and adults occupy spaces where violence is the tool to communicate and the tool to show a sense of self.”

Both being alumni of Bristol Old Vic, Parsons and Vázquez are keen to express their mutual pride and appreciation in the students involved in the production, saying: “What has been remarkable is how buoyant and brilliant they’ve been.”

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has coped with the demands of careful Covid consideration throughout the rehearsal process with the aid of a Covid Supervisor, Alice Dillon: “We have always had a very strong message about encouraging our staff and student to partake in twice-weekly testing,” she recalls, “and we’re very glad to say that we have a large percentage of our School body that has been fully-vaccinated.”

Romeo & Juliet is on at The Redgrave Theatre until December 10 – photo: Rachel Holman

Romeo and Juliet is at The Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3LE on Friday, December 3-10 (not 5) at 7.30pm, with some additional 2.30pm matinee shows. More information and tickets are available at www.oldvic.ac.uk.

Main photo by Rachel Holman

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