In focus: Peter Brook 1947

Peter Brook's revolutionary 1947 production focused on thrilling fights and youthful lovers.

Young woman in nightdress stars out longingly from the arch of a balcony
Daphne Slater as Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre
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HISTORIC LONDON SEASON

The production opened at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre on 5 April 1947 before transferring to His Majesty’s Theatre in London on 8 October.

It was the first time that the governors of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre had given permission for productions to transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon to London. Romeo and Juliet joined Richard II and Twelfth Night in repertory for a limited season.

YOUTHFUL PRODUCTION

Before rehearsals started, the 22-year-old director Peter Brook consulted critic and playwright George Bernard Shaw, who advised him to emphasise the youthful lovers and vigorous fights. Brook seems to have taken this advice, casting the 21-year-old Laurence Payne and 18-year-old Daphne Slater in the title roles.

CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES

Peter Brook brought a fresh and radical approach to the play and was not afraid to cut or move text. He deleted the scene where Juliet gets the poison but reinstated it for the London transfer. He also omitted the reconciliation of the feuding families at the end of the play and gave the Prince's final speech to the Chorus.

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

Prince Escalus of Verona warns the feuding Capulet and Montague families, Romeo and juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Benvolio (John Harrison) watches Romeo (Laurence Payne) jesting with Mercutio (Paul Scofield), Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Lady Capulet (Veronica Turleigh) with her daughter Juliet (Daphne Slater) and the Nurse (Beatrix Lehmann), Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Capulet (Walter Hudd) warns Tybalt (Myles Eason) not to disturb the peace at the ball, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Nurse (Beatrix Lehmann) has a message for Romeo (Laurence Payne), Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Juliet (Daphne Slater) with her Nurse (Beatrix Lehmann), Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Juliet (Daphne Slater) and Romeo (Laurence Payne) in the balcony scene, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. The tear in the photograph is deliberate to show that it wasn't approved.

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Benvolio (John Harrison) is concerned for Mercutio (Paul Scofield), Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Romeo (Laurence Payne) takes Juliet (Daphne Slater) in his arms, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Juliet (Daphne Slater) and Romeo (Laurence Payne) prepare to part after the wedding night, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Benvolio (John Harrison) discovers Romeo (Laurence Payne), Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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The Capulets (Veronica Turleigh, Walter Hudd) discover the lifeless Juliet (Daphne Slater) on the morning of her marriage to Paris (Donald Sinden).

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CREDIBLE CROWDS

“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring” Benvolio, Act 3 Scene 1

Some critics thought that Brook’s realistic crowd scenes threatened to overwhelm the production.

 “A recklessly spectacular version of Romeo and Juliet which sacrifices poetry, acting, and even the story itself, to pictorial splendour” The Times, 7 April 1947.

A TURNING POINT?

Despite the mixed critical reception for the production at the time, later commentators considered this a turning point in British theatre.

Brook approached Shakespeare with few preconceptions and created a production full of life, especially in the electrifying fight scenes.

In the market place of a walled city, two groups of armed men prepare to fight
Capulets and Montagues fight in Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre
Photo by Angus McBean © RSC Browse and license our images

WIDE OPEN SPACES

The set for the production, consisting chiefly of a small partial wall which encircled the stage, was considered minimalist by contemporary commentators. Peter Brook preferred the action to take place in a wide open space, uncluttered by elaborate scenery and decoration.

Theatrical set for Romeo and Juliet showing a single cypress tree

The minimal approach was very evident in Rolf Gérard's set design for Mantua, consisting of a solitary stylised 16 foot high cypress tree, against which Romeo leaned as he pondered his banishment.

Design sketch of a cypress tree for Romeo and Juliet 1947     Young cloaked man leans against a large cypress tree

DESIGNER ROLF GÉRARD

Brook's vision was vividly brought to life by Rolf Gérard, who designed both the sets and the costumes for the production. Gérard enjoyed a long artistic collaboration with Peter Brook and was also designer for the Metropolitan Opera in New York for more than 20 years.

Sets gallery

Design sketch by Rolf Gérard for Juliet's bedroom in Capulet's house, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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A set for Juliet's bedroom in Capulet's house designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Design sketch by Rolf Gérard featuring the front and side views of stools in Juliet's bedroom, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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A set for Capulet's house designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Photo by Ernest Daniels © RSC Browse and license our images

Design sketch by Rolf Gérard for Friar Laurence's Cell and assorted foliage, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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A set for Friar Laurence's cell designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Design sketch by Rolf Gérard of chairs, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

A set for Capulet's house designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Photo by Ernest Daniels © RSC Browse and license our images

Design sketch by Rolf Gérard of three stiffened flags, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

A set for Verona showing sloping ramps and crenellated towers designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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A set of a street scene in Verona designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Design sketches of props (including weapons, Bibles, torches, the Apothecary's glasses and dispensing equipment), by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

A set for the balcony scene designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Photo by Ernest Daniels © RSC Browse and license our images

A set for Juliet's tomb designed by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

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Costume gallery

Costume design sketch by Rolf Gérard for two nobles at the Capulet’s ball, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. One of the nobles is named as ‘John Blatchley’ who also played Friar John.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Design sketches of fans by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. Some of the fans are shaped like magnolia flowers, while another is golden and concave. Intriguingly, one works on the same principle as a “ping-pong racket”.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketches of four women by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketches of various members of the crowd by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. One of the designs is for 'Sol Glabman'.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketches of street characters by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. The character labelled 'noble in street' was played by Joss Ackland.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketch for musicians by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketch of several characters by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketch of Capulet's cook (Duncan Ross) by Rolf Gérard, Romeo and Juliet, 1947, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Design (c) Rolf Gérard, image from the RSC archive © RSC Browse and license our images
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CAST AND CREATIVES

COMPANY

Shakespeare Memorial Theatre

Joss Ackland – Unnamed parts

Julian Amyes - Unnamed parts

William Avenell - Balthasar

John Blatchley - Friar John

Helen Burns - Unnamed parts

George Cooper - Abraham

Margaret Courtenay - Unnamed parts

Leigh Crutchley - Peter

Anne Daniels - Unnamed parts

Myles Eason - Tybalt

Elizabeth Ewbank - Unnamed parts

Sol Glabman - Unnamed parts

Margaret Godwin - Unnamed parts

Michael Golden - Montague

Antony Groser - Gregory

Robert Harris - Escalus

John Harrison – Benvolio, Chorus

David Hobman - Unnamed parts

Walter Hudd - Capulet

Maxwell Jackson - Unnamed parts

Lois Johnson - Unnamed parts

Pamela Leatherland - Unnamed parts

Beatrix Lehmann - Nurse

Keith Lloyd - Unnamed parts

Joanna Mackie - Unnamed parts

Diana Mahony - Unnamed parts

William March - Sampson

David Oxley - Unnamed parts

Laurence Payne - Romeo

Lennard Pearce - Unnamed parts

John Randall - Unnamed parts

Richard Renny - Unnamed parts

Herbert Roland - Unnamed parts

Duncan Ross - Unnamed parts

John Ruddock – Friar Laurence

Paul Scofield - Mercutio

Douglas Seale – Apothecary, Uncle

Donald Sinden - Paris

Daphne Slater - Juliet

Irene Sutcliffe - Unnamed parts

Veronica Turleigh – Lady Capulet

John Warner - Unnamed parts

Gwen Williams – Lady Montague

Beryl Wright - Unnamed parts

Kenneth Wynne - Unnamed parts

 

CREATIVES

 

Director – Peter Brook

Designer - Rolf Gérard

Music - Roberto Gerhard

 

The RSC's archive is held at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. You can visit the Library and Archives there to look at production related information, including photos, videos of shows and stage management documents:

Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive homepage

You can search the RSC catalogue here: 

RSC performance database

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