Philip Leone Ganado and Erica Muscat as the star-crossed lovers in MADC’s intepretation of Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Peter Bartolo Parnis

Romeo and Juliet is a production that comes with great expectations. Whether from reading it at school, watching a live production or even simply enjoying one of the film versions, most fans know exactly what they’re looking forward to seeing in Shakespeare’s most-famous love story.

Actress Erica Muscat, who is taking on the iconic role of Juliet in the Malta Amateur Dramatic Club’s annual production of the Bard’s work, knows that only too well.

“My own thoughts on the show were forever altered by director and visionary Baz Luhrman, who changed the face of Shakespeare forever with his epic of the same title. I remember my older cousin grabbing me by the shoulders one day and saying ‘You have to see this!’ I was nine years old and she fast-forwarded through all the racy parts but, thanks to her, I grew up with a very open idea of what Shakespeare should ‘be’.”

So, while it’s true that this story was penned 420 years ago and it is one of the best-known love stories of all time, there is certainly no limit to the number of interpretations that this work has been given over the centuries.

Our production is neither rooted in a specific era nor style thanks to our exploration of the dreamlike quality of the piece

And now, director Luke Farrugia, aided by Polly March on verse and Francesco Joseph Nicodeme for choreography, have set about adding a completely new tinge to this timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. The story is being told by a very talented cast, which includes Philip Leone Ganado as Romeo, Stefan Cachia Zammit as Lord Capulet, Laura Best as Lady Capulet, Coryse Borg as Lady Montague, Antonella Mifsud as the nurse, and Muscat as Juliet.

“Our interpretation of Romeo and Juliet will certainly be different to the sort of rendition that the average Shakespeare enthusiast will be used to,” smiles Best.

“Of course, everyone knows the classic story – and how it ends – and it has been retold in a number of ways from modern in contemporary dress and locations, to traditional in full Elizabethan costume. Our performance will use both extremes; it is neither rooted in a specific era nor style thanks to our exploration of the dreamlike quality of the piece.”

The cast members have enjoyed using the well-known storyline to their advantage, and they have found new ways to tell this tale and keep it fresh and interesting.

“I have certainly never seen a production of Romeo and Juliet produced in the way we are performing it, and I hope that audiences will respond well to that,” continues Best.

“The beauty of the story is that it translates well to whatever time and whatever era. Our production will add a freshness to Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare stalwarts, while still making it easy for someone who has never encountered the Bard to follow the story and be moved by it. The themes are as applicable today as when it was first written.”

Asked about how the cast have developed their characters, Muscat says that ‘playing’ best describes her process for crafting her rendition of Juliet.

“I’m not too fond of tempering a character, and certainly not before I’ve lived with the rest of the characters that I’m sharing the space with.

“I always have a basic idea of what it is I want from them in a scene and a rough idea of how to go about getting it, based on the text and the overarching journey of the character. But, in the end, all that matters in the moment is the relationship that is created with my scene partner. It’s a journey of discovery and, in a perfect run of the show, no two performances should be the same, but each of these performances should be equally human and honest. After all – isn’t that the beauty of live theatre?”

So, regardless of what audiences are expecting, Muscat hopes they leave with a sense that, in some form or other, the play has moved them to love or to hate, to anger or to joy.

“Shakespeare’s strength lies in his understanding of the human condition,” she says. “Today, the intricacies of these characters are still the benchmark for dramatic writers to beat. For lovers of the Bard, you will already know of the joyous moments in the piece that are the yin to the yang that is its tragedy.

“So we invite you to share in a few laughs and shed a few tears for these characters we all love so well. I hope that you will leave the space truly believing that you had the power to either condemn or to save Romeo and Juliet, simply by bearing witness to their story. That is the power of the theatre, and the power of Shakespeare.”

• Romeo and Juliet is being staged at San Anton Gardens on July 23-31 at 8.15pm. Tickets may be obtained by e-mail: info@madc.com.mt or ticket hotline 7777 6232.