Romeo & Juliet – the preparations have begun!

There’s something rather special about seeing Shakespeare performed right here in our community.

Following the success of Twelfth Night in July 2024, Riversiders are getting ready for our second community Shakespeare production – Romeo & Juliet – in July 2027.

While this production is being led by Midsummer Theatre Company (including our very own Gill Gallant), it will only be possible thanks to the enthusiasm, energy and generosity of volunteers from our own community. And now, with our brilliant team of volunteers assembled, preparations are officially under way.

The photo shows the team at our kick-off meeting, where we came together to talk through the plans, share ideas and start putting the many pieces of the production into place. And there are quite a few pieces!

• Costumes: Penny Birch, Ruth Rozier and Lorna Williamson

• Stage management: Tony Brown, Carmel Hogan and Sally Wraight

• Production, fundraising and communications: Simon Gallant, Hilary Lowe, Lyndsay Wright

• Stewarding and raffle: Jane Rickell, Monika Thomas, Priscille Braithwaite

We’re very grateful to all of them — and to everyone else who will be helping along the way.

There will be two performances at the Cambridge Riverside amphitheatre, so make sure these are in your diary – and invite your friends and families:

• Saturday 3 July 2027

• Sunday 4 July 2027

The start times will be confirmed nearer the event.

A third performance will be held in support of Abbey People – the fantastic local charity supporting our neighbours in the Barnwell area – at their brand-new community facility, The Nest. Abbey People is already known to our community as, back in May, we helped raise funds and awareness for the charity through our A Million Acts of Hope event. We’re delighted that this project can now help benefit them too, with some of our team volunteering to help Abbey People stage the event.

Romeo & Juliet is an abridged version of Shakespeare’s play, running for about 1 hour 15 minutes (plus an interval). It will involve four professional actors: Gill and Michael Dray (director and honorary Riversider) will take supporting roles, while, following auditions, two younger professional actors – Nichola Woolley and Alex Gordon  – have been cast to play the star-crossed lovers.

It’s also hoped that young people from Cambridge Riverside and from Abbey People’s drama groups will also get involved, as both actors and musicians.

Your support matters

Just as with Twelfth Night, we’re inviting residents to make a donation to help us fund our play. A huge thank you to everyone who has already contributed – your support is essential in helping us cover the costs of the production. If you haven’t yet donated but would like to support us, please email Simon and Gillian Gallant at sigal2012@gmail.com. Every contribution is greatly appreciated!

And it’s not too late to join the team

Although the kick-off meeting has taken place, it’s certainly not too late to get involved.

Whether you have experience in theatre or simply have some time, enthusiasm or a particular skill you’d like to contribute, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Gill and Simon at sigal2012@gmail.com.

There’s a lot to do between now and next July — costumes to create, props to prepare, rehearsals to manage, funds to raise, sponsors to arm-twist, actors and musicians to engage. But the journey has begun. And we can’t wait to see Romeo & Juliet under the summer sky at our amphitheatre.