Production 1986

Act 1 Scene 1

Abraham Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson I do bite my thumb, sir.

In the streets of Verona, men of the Capulet and Montague households begin to argue...

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 1

Sampson Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow.
Benvolio Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.

Fight breaks out on the street between men of the Capulet and Montague households.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 3

Nurse Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed: / An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish.

The Nurse talks about looking after Juliet as she was growing up. Lady Capulet sits at her dressing table, getting ready for ball, has called Juliet to her chamber to talk about marriage.

Lady Capulet - Anna Nygh
Nurse - Dilys Laye
Juliet - Niamh Cusack

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 5

Guests dance at the Capulets masque ball.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 1 Scene 5

Romeo O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do

Romeo meets Juliet at the ball.

Juliet - Niamh Cusack
Romeo - Sean Bean

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 2 Scene 6

Friar Lawrence So smile the heavens upon this holy act, / That after-hours with sorrow chide us not.

Romeo and Juliet are married in secret by Friar Lawrence.

Friar Lawrence - Robert Demeger
Juliet - Niamh Cusack
Romeo - Sean Bean

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 3 Scene 1

Prince Where are the vile beginners of this fray?

Tybalt, killed by Romeo, lies across the bonnet of his own red sports car.

Tybalt - Hugh Quarshie
Prince Escalus - David Glover

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Act 3 Scene 5

Lord Capulet Graze where you will, you shall not house with me. / Look to't, think on't, I do not use to jest.

Juliet tells her mother that she doesn't want to marry Paris. When her father (Lord Capulet) finds out, he angrily says he will disown his daughter if she refuses to marry Paris.

Juliet - Niamh Cusack
Lord Capulet - Richard Moore

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust