This version of Romeo and Juliet takes place in Jerusalem, Israel during the year 2000. The Montagues, a Palestinian family, combat with the Capulets, an Israeli family. In the past, these two families have been active in the fight for the land of Israel. However, the Montague's son, Romeo, and the Capulet's daughter, Juliet, are not as enthusiastic about the rivalry as their parents are. A romance quickly develops between the two children after they meet at a protest led by the Capulets. Due to the violence in Jerusalem, the Montagues send their son to Saudi Arabia to seek refugee. Due to their parents' rage and their separation, Romeo and Juliet's romance ends. They both commit suicide. After hearing of Romeo and Juliet's death, the two families agree to split the land of Israel in honor of their children. This production of Romeo and Juliet will incorporate Shakespeare's original intentions for the play, such as extreme opposites and strong metaphors and similes. For example, fire vs. water, love vs. hate, night vs. day, dark vs. light, cold vs. hot, and Israeli vs. Palestinian. In addition, this version of Romeo and Juliet will incorporate Shakespeare's intense dramatic irony. For example, the family believes that Juliet is crying because of the death of her cousin, Tybalt. However, she is crying because she is separated from Romeo. This version will mostly follow the original plot of Romeo and Juliet, but it will also incorporate a few modifications due to the different setting and time period, such as guns will be used as weapons instead of swords, drugs will be used instead of poison for Romeo’s suicide, and the characters will be dressed in modern clothing. Like Verona, the Jerusalem streets will be a place “where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.” (Prologue 4)
Click on images above to enlarge and view captions.