TEHRAN- A musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s sad romantic play “Romeo and Juliet” will be staged at the Qashqai Hall of Tehran's City Theater on October 4. 

Shahrouz Delafkar will direct the musical, which will remain on stage until October 15. 

Sahar Abdolmaleki, Reza Jahangiri, Maryam Boroumand, Mohammad Hossein Motamedi, Ashkan Sarmad and Sadaf Khaqan are the main members of the cast for the play. 

“Romeo and Juliet” is a timeless tragic romance that belongs to a rich tradition of storytelling that dates back to ancient times. The narrative originates from an Italian tale penned by Matteo Bandello, further adapted into verse as "The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet" by Arthur Brooke in 1562, and reconstructed in prose in the "Palace of Pleasure" by William Painter in 1567. Through these adaptations, the story has evolved into a cultural touchstone that explores intense themes of love, fate, and the consequences of familial conflict.

Set against the backdrop of Verona, the plot takes shape amid an age-old vendetta between the two renowned families: the Montagues and the Capulets. The enmity between these houses is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the city, leading to rampant street brawls and a toxic atmosphere that overshadows everyday life. The animosity reaches a boiling point when a group of masked Montagues, defying the longstanding feud, infiltrate a lavish Capulet party in hopes of disrupting the status quo.

At this fateful gathering, the lovestruck Romeo Montague encounters the beautiful Juliet Capulet, and sparks fly. In a world fueled by hatred, their instantaneous attraction blossoms into profound love; however, their union is doomed from the start, as Juliet is betrothed to the affluent Count of Paris, a suitor of her father's choosing.

Through the clever machinations of Juliet’s nurse, the impassioned couple orchestrates a secret wedding the very next day. However, tragedy strikes when Romeo attempts to mediate a street brawl, inadvertently leading to the death of Tybalt, Juliet's fiery cousin. As a result of this violent encounter, Prince Escalus banishes Romeo from Verona, tearing the lovers apart and plunging Juliet into despair.

In a desperate bid to reunite with her beloved, Juliet resorts to a bold scheme crafted by Friar Laurence, where she fakes her own death with a potion. However, the communication fails, and upon discovering Juliet's seemingly lifeless body, a heartbroken Romeo takes his own life, believing that he has lost her forever. Upon awakening to this devastating sight, Juliet, overwhelmed by grief, decides to follow him into death.

In their mutual demise, the bitter feud between the Capulets and Montagues reaches a tragic climax, finally prompting both families to reconcile in sorrow. The story's profound exploration of love and loss continues to resonate, reminding audiences of the destructive power of hate and the enduring nature of love.

William Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest playwright in English literature, was born in 1564. Throughout his career, Shakespeare wrote an impressive body of work that includes over 36 plays, 154 sonnets, and several poems. His plays span across various genres, including tragedies like "Hamlet" and "Macbeth," comedies such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Twelfth Night," and histories like "Henry V" and "Richard III." Shakespeare's works are renowned for their intricate plots, memorable characters, and profound insights into the human condition, making them timeless pieces of literature that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

SAB/