Romeo a Juliet at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Theatr Cymru and Shakespeare’s Globe have come together for a bilingual adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Steffan Donnelly, Cymru’s Artistic Director, this production sets a precedent: the world’s most renowned (and perhaps most adapted) love tragedy is told in both English and Welsh, fusing the original text with JT Jones’s translation. Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, paired with Elin Steele’s set design, provides the perfect backdrop: intimate, candlelit and filled with an anticipation of all that is to come. And for those who wish to follow every line, the language access app Sibrwd offers a live translation to guide non-Welsh-speaking audiences throughout.
Romeo a Juliet is a layered and refreshing take that succeeds on more than one front. First of all, as a reminder that a text – even something perceived as sacred as a Shakespeare play – is kept alive by its readers, and by those bold enough to make it their own. Here, the duality of English and Welsh offers novelty while heightening the divide between the two families, with the Montagues speaking Welsh and the Capulets speaking English.
The play succeeds most in those moments where there is clear intentionality in the choice of language on stage. When each shift between the two feels purposeful, underscoring emotional beats and cultural divides. For instance, in one striking scene, Lord Capulet (Jonathan Nefydd) takes out his rage on Nurse (Llinor ap Gwynedd), after she speaks in Welsh.
Llinor ap Gwynedd and Eiry Thomas (Friar Lawrence) both deliver standout performances, alternating moments of sorrow with flashes of humour that cut through the tension. The Nurse’s shock upon discovering Juliet’s body is subtly performed, feeling both genuine and in the midst of unfolding; an emotion still in process rather than fully realised.
The chemistry between Isabella Colby Browne’s Juliet and Steffan Cennydd’s Romeo is palpable and believable. Their performances bring a playful edge to the love story: Juliet is resolute, witty, and at times pedantic, while Romeo is suave yet impulsive. They behave as young lovers often do: yearning, consumed by passion, and blind to everything beyond each other. This production does a great job of conveying that all-encompassing young love, taking it seriously – and serious it is – while also showcasing its acerbic quality.
This bilingual Romeo and Juliet feels more than just a reinterpretation; it’s a conversation between languages and cultures. It celebrates the enduring vitality of Shakespeare’s words while affirming the power of the Welsh language on the modern stage. The result is an inventive production that feels both timeless and entirely new.
Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: Marc Brenner
Romeo a Juliet is at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse until 8th November 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch the trailer for Romeo a Juliet at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse here:
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