Amassing countless productions and adaptations, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet continues to mesmerise audiences across the globe. And this May week production proves no exception. Set in the magnificent backdrop of Peterhouse chapel, it looks set to reimagine this iconic play, following a forbidden queer relationship. I sat down with director Bella Phillips to uncover what makes this adaptation so special.

Describing her inspirations, Bella spoke passionately about the historical relationship of Anne Lister and Ann Walker who shared Britain’s first known lesbian marriage, exchanging vows and taking communion together – a parallel Bella has identified to when Friar Lawrence marries the star-crossed lovers. Having conducted research on the couple as part of an essay project, she knew that she wanted to create a production focused on cultivating a “queer community”. Bella recalled a ballet production of Gentleman Jack that she went to see and “how lovely it was to be a part of a queer community as I was sat in the audience”. The performance is set in the Regency Era, particularly relevant to LGBTQ+ representation within the arts today considering the recent backlash over Francessca and Michaela’s relationship in the upcoming season of Bridgerton. “Especially when other queer representations on screen had been celebrated, such as Heated Rivalry, this was really frustrating”. Bella pointed out how Romeo and Juliet is often “emmeshed in straight culture, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it means that there’s a lot of flexibility with the story. That has been really fun to explore”. Bella’s adaptation focuses on Romeo (Mia Lomer) and Juliet (Charlotte Cutting) as they navigate their love against the rigid social sphere of the 19th century.

“There’s a connection there that I feel is very fitting for a pride play”

This production celebrates not just theatre’s power in depicting queer love in all its glory, but also the role of the arts as a whole. Throughout the performance, student-written love letters and poems will be “intertwined” within the acting, Bella reveals. “Caroline Gonda talks a lot about how Queer history in the Regency era was very malleable, and always in conversation with the past and present. So, I wanted to frame Romeo and Juliet’s love story like this too”. This will be evoked through the insertion of these love letters, poems and epilogues, bringing Romeo and Juliet’s past and present love into dialogue with each other. I can only imagine the resonance and atmosphere that will be created with the beautiful acoustics of the Peterhouse chapel as these extracts are read out. I wanted to know a bit more about this backdrop, particularly with the rising trend we have seen of Cambridge theatre being staged against the altar. As any Engling would know, religion remains enveloped in Romeo and Juliet’s love throughout the play. Bella draws on this, praising the chapel and its “beautiful, sacred space” as the perfect backdrop to the story she wants to tell. “Peterhouse Chapel especially feels very intimate, bringing the actor and audience in close contact with each other. There’s a connection there that I feel is very fitting for a pride play”.

“It has been able to give voices to those often underrepresented within Cambridge theatre”

It is no mean feat to be putting a production together in the chaos of Cambridge exam season, yet Bella has pulled it off fantastically. Alongside navigating the cast’s busy revision schedules, it was also Bella’s first time directing a piece that involved both music and dance. “I’m lucky to have such an amazing choreographer and musical director that I have worked closely with!”. Music will be a big part of the production, helping tell this iconic love tale. Inspired by folk music, the band will make use of violins and oboes, alongside humming and drones to create a backdrop blending modern-day and Regency culture. “I want to show that this love story is timeless and that queer love has always existed and always will”. Celebrating Pride month, 100% of the profits from the production will also go to The Kite Trust, a charity that Bella feels passionately about. “They are based in Cambridge and surrounding areas, working to implement support for young queer people, focusing on fostering community” – a sense of togetherness and celebration that Bella seeks to instil.

Though staging a tragedy, Bella tells me she does not want audiences to leave feeling overly sad. “It’s difficult because lots of queer stories often are tragic or have an overwhelmingly unhappy undertone. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, there is no way of getting past that, but I want to highlight this production as ultimately joyful. It has been able to give voices to those often underrepresented within Cambridge theatre”. She speaks of the utter fun the cast and production team have had whilst putting this production together. “I want to foster an atmosphere not of despair, but love and community”. Don’t be tempted to say goodbye to Shakespeare forever Englings! Romeo and Juliet in the Peterhouse Chapel looks set to be a poignant celebration of queer love and its power to endure through history.

Romeo and Juliet in the chapel runs from Tue 23rd – Thu 25th June.