Romeo and Juliet
(Sequence One)

Casting

Teacher Irene Bishop explains her dilemma in casting the role of Romeo in an all-girls' school. At this point in the process no solution is offered, although a resolution is arrived at later in the programme. Clearly, the depiction of affection or passion by young non-professional performers (whatever their sex) can be a fraught one and will depend on the confidence of the students, their relationship with their teacher and the kind of supportive environment generated in the drama sessions.

Irene Bishop then explains that the theme of gangs was far less problematic with her students and the sequence focuses on her 'construction' of the opening scene of the play, involving the riot between the Montagues and Capulets in Verona's marketplace.