Bell Shakespeare Takes Critically Acclaimed Production of Romeo & Juliet on National Tour to 26 Venues

Bell Shakespeare takes its beautifully raw and intimate production of Romeo & Juliet on a three-month national tour, kicking off at Canberra Theatre Centre on 29 August 2025. The production will travel to 26 venues across Australia, including in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania, ending at the Sydney Opera House from 19 November – 7 December 2025.

The critically acclaimed production originally staged in 2023, directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, gives audiences a closer look at arguably Shakespeare's most famous play, delving into the intensity and the heartbreak of this evocative tragedy. The story of the young lovers' chance meeting unfolds against an enchanting starry sky. Their forbidden love leads them down a dangerous path, and they will risk everything to break free of the unending, violent feud between their families.

Dynamic newcomers Madeline Li and Ryan Hodson will star as the star-crossed lovers, joined onstage by Merridy Eastman (Nurse), Jack Halabi (Paris), Khisraw Jones-Shukoor (Friar), Tom Matthews (Tybalt), Brittany Santariga (Mercutio / Prince), James Thomasson (Benvolio), Michael Wahr (Capulet), Adinia Wirasti (Lady Capulet), Caitlin Burley (Understudy), and Thomas Royce-Hampton (Understudy).

Artistic Director Peter Evans said: "After such a positive reception in 2023, I'm excited to take our production of Romeo & Juliet further afield so audiences all across the country can experience it. This early tragedy from Shakespeare is a perennial favourite and endlessly fascinating. Romeo and Juliet is of course the saddest of sad plays but also one of the funniest and naughtiest tragedies ever written. It is a tragedy of accidents where a community's selfish, ancient feud fatally impacts the young people.

"We've got a fantastic young cast who are coming at this classic story with a fresh and infectious energy that you won't want to miss."

The creative team includes Set and Costume Designer Anna Tregloan, Lighting Designer Benjamin Cisterne, Composer and Sound Designer Max Lyandvert, Associate Fight Director Thomas Royce-Hampton, Voice Director Jack Starkey-Gill and Choreographer Simone Sault.

Full list of venues and tickets available here.

★★★★ "a cut above" Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ "elegant and lively" The Age
★★★★ "hearing this old song sung in a new register is nothing less than exhilarating" Time Out