An innovative new version of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet will have its world premiere at The Belgrade Theatre Coventry in 2025.

A co-production with Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire and directed by the Belgrade’s Creative Director, Corey Campbell, with set and costume design by Simon Kenny and in collaboration with local Midlands artists That’s A Rap (lyrics), and A Class (music), this will be the original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B: a Shakespearean lyrical love story – for people who love the music of the spoken word of every generation.

This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important Plus One: rap.

Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.

The story shines with new, original elements of rap – as well as soul and R&B. Think every day English as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.

Romeo and Juliet will run at the Belgrade Theatre from 21 February – 8 March 2025. For more information, visit belgrade.co.uk