The debut of a new hip-hop production of Romeo and Juliet, which is rated for children between the ages of 9 and 12+, will take place at the Polka Theatre from March 2 through April 14, 2024, according to the venue’s joint chief executive and artistic director Helen Matravers and the entire crew.

Shakespeare’s most well-known play, Romeo and Juliet, will be retold using bars, rhythms, and lovely harmonies.

Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens and Conrad Murray, the creators of Frankenstein: How to make a Monster, Pied Piper the Hip Hop Family Musical, and High Rise eState of Mind, along with Kate Donnachie (of Unexpected Twist and Pied Piper the Hip Hop Musical) and Khai Shaw (of Little Baby Jesus, and Much Ado About Nothing), are collaborating on the play.

The team will perform a 60-minute urban rendition of the celebrated drama act.

As part of a new experimental touring program, Polka will also tour the play to schools in Merton and other nearby boroughs, continuing their commitment to provide easily accessible theater to local schoolchildren.

Romeo and Juliet Now Has Swag

Helen Matravers expressed, “Ahead of announcing our wider Spring/Summer 2024 season, I am delighted to be sharing some of Polka’s upcoming productions.

“Cementing Polka’s commitment to staging work that is empowering, memorable, inclusive and fun, I am thrilled that Polka are creating a brand new version of Romeo and Juliet with Beats & Elements – creating a rapped, harmonized and contemporary version recommended for students age 9-12+ which will also do a small schools tour in the areas local to Polka – a pilot touring program which we hope to expand on further in future years.”

Matravers went on, “We recognize that coming to Polka to see a show is a unique and special experience for school children, but that rising costs of travelling and staffing are creating further barriers to this, and we are committed to ensure that our productions remain accessible to as many children as possible. Alongside our hugely popular and important, but increasingly over-subscribed, Curtain Up! program of 6,000 free schools’ tickets annually, we are looking to further expand the possible avenues for schools, particularly with children at secondary-transition age, to be able to access theatre.

“We are hopeful that by significantly reducing costs for schools to access theatre, that more and more children benefit, gain confidence and feel empowered by the work that Polka produces.”

What are your thoughts regarding Romeo and Juliet getting a hip hop twist? Comment below!

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