"Romeo & Juliet” by Oddsocks Theatre Company
Lakeside, Nottingham

I’d heard of Oddsocks Theatre Company but had never had the joy to see this innovative theatre company actually on stage. What had I missed?

Friday night in the open air of Lakeside’s grounds the Capulets and the Montagues clash, but these hearts beat to the sound of a different drum and beat as Oddsocks have time travelled these two warring families to the Mods and Rockers era.

The Capulets own a rock bar and the Montagues a pizza restaurant and we, the audience are asked to join in the fun with several activities which really make you feel involved, a little bit like in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".

The members of the cast also make up a band who play music live on stage, something you would not expect from a Shakespearian classic. Hits from the 1950’s and through some well-chosen party/rock classics are performed throughout. "Black Betty", "Rhythm Of The Rain", "Sweet Child Of Mine", "Be Bop A Lula", "Every Breath You Take/Chasing Cars" mash up and many more.

There’s an enormous amount of energy brought to this production along with some brilliant comic slapstick and comedy accents. When can you ever remember a Capulet – played by Director Andy Barrow - having a Birmingham accent? Andy also doubles up as Tybalt.

Playing Romeo is Matthew Penson, on his first tour with Oddsocks and Juliet is played by Alice Merivale.

.Juliet’s nurse is played by Amy Roberts who also debuts in this tour.

Dominic Gee Burch played Mercutio, Officer Prince and and Friar Lawrence

Completing the line-up is Gavin Harrison as Benvolio and Paris.

All of these actors make this production something very special and unique with smatterings of ad libbed sections while reacting to the activities of the audience. A warning - don't get up and go to the toilet and be seen by the cast!!

There are some brilliant fight scenes in here, Directed by Ian Stapleton.

Shakespeare’s plays have been performed in various ways and it’s great to see the classics viewed from a very different perspective through the eyes of Oddsocks Theatre company, making it all fresh and new again.

You can’t beat the classics and the way that they were originally written to be performed; but why try to beat them when you can show a different slant and make them just as interesting as the original.

It’s also a wonderful introduction to the Bard’s scripts for people who may not have discovered the glory and richness of his work.

Oddsocks are unique and great fun to watch,and they certainly make Shakespeare fun and relevant for a new and younger audience, as well as open minded bard fans like myself.

If you want to experience Oddsocks for yourself, they are back at Lakeside on Saturday evening for a science fiction version of "The Tempes