From 685 to Verona: Romeo, Tybalt, and the boys from Southside

Two proud South Aucklanders are stepping onto one of the country’s biggest theatre stages, bringing their whole selves to a Shakespearean classic.

Theo Dāvid and Jesme Fa’auuga are among the core cast of Auckland Theatre Company’s (ATC) bold new take on Romeo and Juliet, which opens on 15 July at ASB Waterfront Theatre.

Both actors are proud representatives of the 685, have walked the corridors of Shortland Street, and are determined to show that William Shakespeare belongs to everyone.

“It’s going awesome,” Fa’auuga tells NiuFM’s The Morning Shack when asked about rehearsals.

“Everybody’s putting in the work, grinding hard. We got an awesome show lined up for you guys come 15th of July.”

Directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson (The Effect, King Lear), this production keeps Shakespeare’s original text intact while shifting the setting to 1960s Milan, “a decade of love and a period defined by romance”.

The production evokes high-fashion houses, family dynasties, and high-stakes glamour.

It transforms a timeless masterpiece filled with passion into a story that speaks to the rebellion of youth and the liberation of women.

“Think Gucci suits, high heels,” Dāvid says.

“You do get a sense of romanticism, but also how hot it is, how dangerous it is. There’s a lot of knife fights in the play as well.”

Fa’auuga emphasises that the fervour of Italians will be on display, saying, “These are very passionate people. Everything is to the nth degree.”

Kilby-Henson says in a statement that he wanted to create “a Shakespearean odyssey told with unapologetic style, emotion and danger”, describing Romeo and Juliet as an “ode to love of all kinds” and the risks that come with pursuing it.

Theo Dāvid and Phoebe Mckellar portray the ill-fated lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Photo/Supplied

Speaking Shakespeare

While Shakespeare’s language can feel intimidating, especially to Pacific audiences, Fa’uuga and Dāvid are working to break down those barriers.

Dāvid, making his ATC debut, plays the hopeless romantic, Romeo. He says authenticity helps modern Pacific audiences connect with the text.

“The language… it sounds old, and it sounds not of this time. But when you see two Sāmoan boys on stage, you can't run away from that. You can't pretend to not be that.

“So it’s just about, at least for me, bringing my own cadence, the way that I speak, into the language.”

Fa’auuga, portraying Juliet’s fiery cousin, Tybalt, agrees that Pacific representation in Elizabethan theatre is significant.

“Just to see two Pacific Islanders on their stage… handsome, dashing,” he laughs, “reciting Shakespeare prose… kind of takes away that barrier.

“Back in high school, Shakespeare was not something I was inclined to pursue. It’s got that stigma of, ‘Oh, we can’t understand it, we don’t get the language’.”

Dāvid adds that Shakespearean language isn’t so distant from traditional oratory in Pacific cultures.

“It’s not too different from a lauga your granddad would say. They speak in poetry, they reference nature, they reference animals and stuff. So it’s not too far from us.”

The play “unravels at breathtaking speed”, meaning the quick pace enthralls the audience, while every corner is stalked by Death.

Jesme Fa'auuga as Tybalt Montague. Photo/Supplied

Casting the Capulets and making the Montagues

Phoebe Mckellar (One Lane Bridge) stars opposite Dāvid as Juliet and Kilby-Henson says the duo are the "perfect combo” to portray the ill-fated lovers.

“Phoebe has a fragility coupled with a fire and Theo has an enchanting warmth, coupled with a devilish twinkle in the eye.

“The text describes their relationship as flint and gunpowder, when they come together - KABOOM. They are the perfect combo for Shakespeare's most head-strong, vibrant and zealous young couple.”

The cast includes ATC theatre veterans such as Ryan Carter as Mercutio, Liam Coleman as Benvolio, Courtney Eggleton as Nurse, Miriama McDowell as Friar Lawrence, Beatriz Romilly as Lady Capulet, Meramanji Odedra as Montague, Jordan Mooney as Paris, Isla Mayo as Sampson, and Amanda Tito playing Death/Prince/Petra/Apothecary.

Full cast of Auckland Theatre Company's 'Romeo and Juliet'. Photo/Supplied

“Playing Romeo has been a real treat,” Dāvid says. “He is the original F-boy…If you bring Romeo into today’s (world), he listens to Drake and drives along Tāmaki Drive at midnight.

“He just wants a big life with kids running around at the end of the day. The tragedy is that he and Juliet don’t get that.”

Both Fa’auuga and Dāvid feel deep connections to their characters. Fa’auuga sees Tybalt as fiercely loyal yet misunderstood.

“Some may say he takes things a little too far, but that’s what passion does to people. These are people who feel things very deeply.”

And if you’re still on the fence about seeing it?

“If you don’t see Romeo and Juliet, you will see my fist connect with your jaw,” jokes Dāvid.

ATC’s Romeo and Juliet runs from 15 July to 9 August at ASB Waterfront Theatre, with accessible performances available. For tickets and more information, click here.