The first-born of the Nutshell Theatre family, this production debuted in 2016 as part of Shakespeare400, and has become a staple in our repertoire with over 100 performances for secondary schools.

The adaptation compresses the drama into 70 intense minutes while faithfully including all the key moments—Queen Mab, the Balcony scene, the Nurse, "Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds," the Lark and Nightingale scene, the Vial, and more.

The staging is a two-person show, conceived along the divide of age, highlighting the rift between the old and the young characters, who are trapped in the repetitive mechanisms of hatred without even knowing its origins. Benedetta Borciani masterfully engages with Shakespeare’s verse, seamlessly transitioning between all the young characters: Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Tybalt. Meanwhile, Beniamino Borciani takes on the older roles, portraying characters like the Nurse, Friar Laurence, and Old Capulet, each embodying different shades of insensitivity, clumsiness, or violence.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.