A Romeo and Juliet to cherish

Romeo and Juliet

Courtyard Theatre

Stratford

Rupert Goold's fine production turns Shakespeare's "two hours traffic of our stage" into a three-hour riot of dance, music, jets of flame and enough swords, daggers and flick-knives to equip an army.

But special effects count for nothing unless the central performances are spot-on. And in this powerful, confident and memorable show, the star-crossed lovers are perfect.

While all around them are in mediaeval dress, Romeo and Juliet are a pair of 21st century teenagers, he in a hoodie with a bike, she with an electronic yo-yo and baseball boots..

Mariah Gale gives us a Juliet who could actually be 13, awkward as a schoolgirl, artless as a rag doll. Sam Troughton's Romeo celebrates his love by punching the air and jumping for joy.

This pair are no more than kids, Year Nine pupils caught up in forces beyond their understanding. When they first behold each other, caught in a single spotlight, the moment is magical.

Mercutio, so often a swaggering macho-man, becomes a camp Ulster lad as interpreted by Jonjo O'Neill; it sounds wild but works brilliantly. The Nurse, played by Noma Dumezweni, is not the usual twittering old maid but a powerful, sexy African matron.

The music and lighting is terrific, the dance scenes worthy of a West End musical.

This is a Romeo and Juliet to cherish and it runs until August 27.

By Peter Rhodes