Casting announced for a bold new Romeo & Juliet at Liverpool Everyman

One of Shakespeare’s most iconic love stories is set to take over the Liverpool Everyman this autumn as Romeo & Juliet gets a fresh twist from local director Ellie Hurt.

Running from Saturday 13 September to Saturday 4 October, Romeo & Juliet promises to be raw, powerful and packed with the kind of contemporary edge the Everyman does best.

This classic tale of star-crossed lovers will see Juliet and Romeo fighting for a future that their feuding families seem hellbent on destroying — but this time, the Everyman’s putting its own stamp on the timeless story, asking whether love really can overcome deep-rooted hate.

At the helm is Ellie Hurt, who came up through the Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) Directors course and has since gone on to direct shows all over the UK. For Ellie, bringing Romeo & Juliet back to the Everyman is a bit of a homecoming.

“Directing this show here feels like a full-circle moment,” she said. “The YEP programme helped me find my voice as a director, so coming back to stage one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, with this incredible team and cast, is really special.”

Alicia Forde will step into Juliet’s shoes, following credits in Waterloo Road, Time Series 2 and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Exchange. Zoe West plays Romeo, bringing experience from roles at The Globe, Chichester Festival Theatre and a long list of acclaimed stage performances.

They’ll be joined by a strong cast of familiar faces, including Joe Alessi as Capulet, Liverpool favourite Eithne Browne as Friar, and Elliot Broadfoot as Mercutio. Ebony Feare, Kelise Gordon-Harrison and Milo McCarthy complete the line-up.

Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse’s Creative Director Nathan Powell said the production continues the theatre’s tradition of giving Shakespeare a fresh, local twist.

“Right from our very first production — Henry IV, Part 1 — we’ve loved taking classic plays and turning them on their head,” he said. “Ellie is a brilliant example of the talent that’s come through YEP, and it’s exciting to see her making her mark on a story like this.”

Behind the scenes, the creative team includes Sascha Gilmour on set and costume design, a score by Dom Coyote, lighting by KJ, and movement direction from Jonnie Riordan. The show will also benefit from the expertise of RC Annie on intimacy and fight scenes, so expect sparks to fly — in more ways than one.

There’ll be a post-show discussion with the cast on Wednesday 24 September, plus accessible performances including captioned, BSL and audio-described shows throughout the run.

Tickets are available here.

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