#romeo tom holland

[peeterparkr]

thus, with a kiss, i die| tom holland

PROLOGUE: the rivalry.

romeo & juliet modern au.

summary: the well known story of star-crossed lovers. Your local bar has two spots for bands, but only one spot for an opportunity to get a record deal. Your band, the Capulets and his band, the Montagues have been rivals long enough. But what happens after a night when you get to know their lead singer?

chapter summary: who are the great rivals at the Verona bar?

pairing: singer!tom holland x guitarrist!reder

warnings: swearing, alcohol mention

word count: 3k

this is literally romeo and juliet, it's one of my favorite stories, if you've read my other works you KNOW I love to quote it, and reference and eveyrhting. Anyway, this is my take on it. Modern world, hope you like it. I haven't written anything in ages so here goes.

character glossary next chapter masterlist

wanna be tagged?

This is an unequivocally known story, a tale as old as time, of those of two star crossed lovers, who most likely lost their mind. Star-crossed lovers, they call them as if the stars were undeniably conspiring against them. Are the stars really against secret, illicit-feeling escapades of a young, naive love, so powerful and strong that it ends up in death?  

Or were they too busy to help them out when everything went insane? 

Shakespeare said it himself, didn’t he? ‘Violent delights have violent ends’. Perhaps the name and the reference itself doomed upon a foretold tragedy. Yet, here we are. 

And it all comes back to a simple rivalry, and thus shall start like it always does. In a small  bar named ‘Verona’, always playing live music, near a college. Nothing too unusual, nothing so fancy. With a small stage. Smoking blue and purple. With a wall full of old bottles, just to adorn. A small stage with a few vintage lights hanging from the ceiling, a worn out rug, and a neon light sign which read: ‘Don’t waste your love’. 

Where people gathered to have a beer, or two in those small wooden tables, or perhaps in the green couch, nibbling on a few snacks while they listen to one of the two bands Verona offered. 

Some liked the Capulets, an all female band. Some liked the Montagues, perhaps for the handsome lead singer. Some liked both. Some liked neither. 

But Verona was the rivalry. The rivalry between the two bands was what made Verona an interesting place, or that’s what some people liked to pry upon, the well known story about two former friends, Monty and Billie ‘Cap’ who once fought almost to death and decided to each go their separate ways and declare themselves sworn enemies. 

Things hadn’t been quite the same since. Each formed their own band in an act of revelry and had tried to crush the other. The Capulets were known for their soul-crushing lyrics, meanwhile the Montagues were known for their remarkably outstanding sounds. As said before, their lead singer was quite someone that moved crowds. Pleasing to the eye. 

The Capulets had recently lost their main guitarist and a rumor of who  would join had circulated.  Monty was anxious to learn all about the new member. A war shall begin. 

In all honesty, nobody really cared about them, but both were on the edge waiting for each other's next movement. 

And in the end, they were young and naive with big wishes and hopes, with the same stupid dream that one day someone would walk in the night their gig was on and offer them the entire world. 

It was funny, how they believed so much in Verona, just a small bar, that happened to have a few legends come from. A few people said great names like Billy Joel had once played there. Drunk folks are very unreliable narrators. But not quite the most unreliable. 

Which brings us to two members of the Capulets, Georgia and Sam. The drummer and pianist, respectively. The first, a short haired, with a diverse set of earrings, a top tank and loose pants. A cigarette hung from the corner of her lips. The two of them were having a drink, knowing they would have to listen to the Montagues later, they needed some alcohol in their body to make sure they could stand the occasion. 

Some of Montague’s  crew had already arrived and were tuning in. They watched, amused. It was a fair Friday afternoon, and people were gathering already to have a beer and some chips. 

“You know, we got the Saturday gig? ”  Samantha said as she plaid with a half-full cold beer glass. Her style was more 70’s, big hair, big pants and striped shirt. “If we keep going like this we’re going to crush them.” 

“I think we should actually crush them,” said Georgia, puffing her cigarette.  “Get a whole ass piano and just dump it on them, cartoon style, y’know? Especially Tom. Gosh, I’d like to just get rid of his stupid British face. I might dislike him more than Monty.” 

Sam shrugged. “That was a great move, you’ve got to admit that.” 

“Aye, great move? Getting a pretty face just to get more audience, please,” Georgia rolled her eyes. “This should be about talent!” 

Although she knew that half the girls there were just there to see Tom. Georgia only judged them slightly. Tom was most definitely the newest sweetheart. Curls, chocolate kind eyes, and Georgia supposed he was fit. Besides, a hopeless romantic, or so the girls would say only because he had an accent. Perhaps they all believed he was the next Hugh Grant. 

“Perhaps Cap should bring in someone as beautiful, y’know? As bait.” 

Georgia rolled her eyes once again. Although it didn’t sound as stupid. And perhaps that’s why Cap had decided to bring in someone as beautiful. Although the new member, Georgia knew, was naive and had a lot to learn, she could perhaps appeal more. And besides their looks, their talent to write, Georgia knew it was most likely to appeal to Paris, the young handsome bartender, the bar’s owner's protege, who could pitch in to have them more often. 

But they were losing right now and they both knew it. How they’d manage to convince Princess Skylar to get them the next day  was beyond them. Skylar was the bar owner, or at least she presented herself as so. Even though she was just a manager she basically owned the place. She gave out the slots as long as people were buying drinks. And lately the Montagues were bringing in more money. 

Montgomery, ‘Monty’ had brought in Tom to be his new lead singer, and they’d been booking the Saturday gigs more often since. Perhaps bringing in a wider female demographic to Verona, buying pretty cocktails. Although, Georgia thought it could be now constructive for them since the male demographic had decreased and they tend to be the ones to drink more beer. Besides, one thing they could rely on was Tom having a girlfriend, so at least the girls would eventually have to give up and go back to the heart wrenching lyrics. 

“Is it me or do they sound worse each day?” Wondered Sam as she heard a hard tune. Bea, her enemy, the Montague’s pianist was a fan of only key smashing. “Whenever I listen to them I just need to run to the bathroom and puke.” 

“No, I think you should just puke on them,” Georgia said. “I’d be your number one fan.” 

Abby, the Montague’s drummer, and Georgia’s number one enemy had overheard. Georgia said her technique lacked enthusiasm. While Abby said Georgia lacked any technique. 

Both were wrong. 

“Whatcha say?” Abby questioned. “Did y’all come here to learn?” 

“Learn?” Sam stood up with her beer. “Learn how not to play, am I right Georgia?” 

Sam wasn’t good with comebacks. Georgia pulled her back down. 

Abby chuckled. “If you play like that then I won’t worry anymore.” 

“Ah,” grinned Georgia raising her own drink, vodka soda. “So you are worried. Gotcha.” 

Abby rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe you’re invited here.” 

Ben, another member of the Montagues and the reason they had a new lead singer was nearby plugging in his instrument. Not as handsome as the others, people would say, but he was peaceful. “Let them be, Abby. They can be here.” 

He often tried to ignore them, he was there for the music and the music only. He thanked Monty for giving him the chance to be there and disregarded the stupid rivalry. He was the bassist, and had become quite popular now that he was acquainted with Tom. 

He didn’t like any trouble… unlike Theodora, another member of the Capulets who was with them at the bar but had been quiet enough. It was hilarious how they often were angered by the other’s presence and yet neither tried any other place to hang out. 

Theodora searched for the trouble. Perhaps Theodora was the one to hate the most of the Montagues. All of them and especially their newest member. She was the scariest of the Capulets, impulsive and with probably some anger issues. She despised them, and wasn’t afraid to show it. 

“Eh, for sure we can be here. It’s a bloody bar. But you could try and kick us out. Don’t be such a pussy, Ben Dover,”  Theodora’s first statement was one to make heads turn.

Ben turned to look at her from his bass. “I’d rather not get tired, unlike you I care more about my music.” 

“Why does it sound like a bunch of people farting then?” Asked Sam. Again, she wasn’t good at this. 

But before he could even respond, Bea, the pianist had already begun the… fight, if you could call it one. Apparently the fart statement had been the one to bother her, funnily enough. 

She’d stormed over, yelling and screaming nonsense. Raising her hands and giving them fingers. 

Very classy.

Georgia and Sam had stood up to walk over to the stage. Bea had continued a rampage of all the cuss words she could think of and calling them out on their lack of talent and accusing them of coming here only to plagiarize their songs, to which Theodora kindly answered they couldn’t plagiarize a ‘pile of pure shit’ unless they went to the bathroom. Sam had continued with the fart insults. 

Ben only stood there watching them and trying and failing to calm them down.

Soon, the other poor customers at the bar were involved in the fight, trying to incentivize the company. Some others were drunk enough to fight with them and others just enjoyed the show. 

Billie, ‘Cap’, who had acquired the nickname from quite a young age, by making everyone call her ‘O’ cap’n my cap’n’ after making The Dead Poets Society her entire personality, had walked in along with her girlfriend, Clara. Cap was usually chill. A great leader, a great singer and a great friend. Unless, of course, you betray her. She’d been betrayed by Monty, whom she’d now nicknamed Slap-Dick. 

“Christ.” Cap muttered as soon as she saw the scene. Part of her band only raised glasses, fingers and lame insults and she was sure she’d just seen a beer can fly by. “Angel,” she turned sweetly to Clara. “Will you please hold this?” As she handed over her purse. 

“What for?” Clara questioned. 

“Yes, I might need to throw some hands— oh, how interesting, see who just walked in, the scum himself, Slap-Dick,” she greeted. 

Monty, one hand on his girlfriend’s, Maddie, waist, and one hand holding his guitar walked in. Cap scrunched her nose with disgust. 

“The fuck are you doin’ here Cap’n Crunch,” Monty snapped. “It’s our gig tonight, please get your vulgar and uncivilized twats out.” 

“I’m pretty sure your darling band if we can dare to call it that, was the one to start this,” Cap crossed her arms. Cap knew her own crew was not good at insulting. Although as she eyed Theodora she thought she may have been wrong in her initial statement. Still, she continued. “Your zoo is making all of this noise.” 

“Oh! Fuckin—.” Monty laughed but thankfully was interrupted before he could say anything that would make the show even better. 

“Stop!” Skylar had yelled, breaking a bottle against the wall as all the lights were turned off and the faint ambiance music stopped playing. She liked drama. “For fuck’s sake, stop!” 

Everyone felt the air cold, paused in the middle of the argument. The lights were turned back on, completely, leaving nothing to the imagination. It was chaos, as if a hurricane had hit the entire bar. Theodora was holding Ben by his shirt, Bea was standing on a chair, Sam and Abby just stood in front of each other. The other drunken clients just stood there awkwardly. Standing ever so slightly less elegant. 

“I’m so fucking done with this,” Skylar said. “Stop you assholes, this is the third time this month.” She made her way through the tables and snapped her fingers down twice at Bea, motioning for her to get down. “I don’t care about your stupid feud,” she continued as she snatched Theo’s hand off Ben. “ It's so stupid, you’re both terrible bands,”  she said as she walked in between Sam and Abby, separating them as both fueled with rage. “If this doesn’t stop,” she said, taking Georgia’s drink now and taking a sip for her. “And I’m talking to you both now,” she turned to watch Cap and Monty. “I’m going to cut you off, deadass. Not one more gig for either. Do you understand?”

Both tried to complain. 

“I said, do you understand?” Skylar was firm. 

“Yes, princess,” Monty hissed the nickname. Montgomery Williams was exactly the guy you’d think of when you thought of a guy who formed a band and played the lead guitar. His dark hair fell to his eyebrows and his cheeks were sucked in enough for him to be considered handsome. He was often seen with a pair of dark jeans and a new band t-shirt. A cigarette was his trademark accessory. Bulked enough but, not really. And he was often accompanied by his newest pursuit, this time, Maddie, a girl whose clothes were probably bought too tight on purpose. 

“Now, Capulets, please give me the pleasure of your kicking you out,” Skylar said

Montgomery smirked. 

“No, no, Monty, don’t get  your hopes up. They don’t play until tomorrow, so from now on whenever the other band is playing the rivals cannot step in here, otherwise I’ll fuck you up,” Skylar threatened. 

“I wanted a beer,” Cap complained earning a deathly glare from Skylar. “Fine, princess!” She took a deep breath. “Caps, let’s go get wasted at my place!” She ordered and her mates followed after. 

Skylar had her arms crossed at the entrance as they walked out and the members of the Montagues clapped. She rolled her eyes. 

“‘Lright everyone, if anyone causes another disturbance I’ll—“

“Fuck us up,” Monty finished. He clapped his hands and pushed Skylar from her shoulders back to the bar. “Absolutely, no worries, Sky, we’re very civilized and we will give you the best show tonight. We’re classy!” 

“Don’t touch me again,” was the last threat she gave before heading back to her office.

Monty gave her a fake smile and then turned to Ben. “The fuck happened?” 

Ben made his way back to the stage as he was followed by the rest of the band. “Honestly, Georgia and Sam were just here chilling. Abby overheard them and wanted to snap at them, I tried to calm them down but Theodora, you know Theodora.”

“Insane bitch, yeah.”

“Theodora just snapped and then it’s a blur,” Ben explained. 

“Fuckin’—“ Monty pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mkay, well. We can’t let them, you know, get on our nerves, that what they want, they want to get rid of us, no matter what, they don’t even care if they go down with us,” Monty said. “So, uh—yeah, especially now that Tom joined us they’re desperate.” 

His band mates only nodded with agreement. 

“And— where the hell is he?” Monty frowned, noticing just now that his lead singer was nowhere to be seen. “We play soon, that idiot,” he rubbed his face with stress. Although he loved to pride himself on being better than Cap, he was often found with insecurities because deep down he believed he wasn’t. 

Monty was especially scared now that he knew Cap was going to present her secret weapon the very next day. Why they were given a Friday instead of a Saturday was scary for him. Who had they brought in? 

Perhaps, the Tom furor was finally gone after a few weeks, considering that although more women were parading in Verona, they would soon be gone as soon as they found out Tom was not available and not willing to flirt with them. Even when Monty had encouraged it, the guy would just politely decline it. 

And now, they had the Saturday gig. The most important gig, and although Friday was next in line, he knew that important people showed up on Saturdays. Not Fridays.  

Though he didn’t blame it entirely on Tom’s reluctance to flirt. He knew Cap had pulled her cards right. And he knew it had something to do with Skylar. Had anyone slept with her? Or had they given her money? Had their songs penetrated Skylar’s walls?

Either way. They had to have their lead singer show up. He couldn’t hide his anxiety as he approached the microphones, tapping slightly on them to try them. 

Ben coughed, watching him. 

“Ben?” Monty’s eyes widened. “Where is he?”

“Look, I haven’t heard of him since the morning,” Ben explained. 

Monty furrowed his eyebrows. 

“He did text me he would be here, but.” 

“But what?” 

“Him and Rosie broke up so he might not be feeling well, he told me he was devastated. He told me he was getting a drink before.” 

Monty heard the news. His lead singer had broken up and was devastated on a Friday night gig. Where they had to sing silly love songs and hard beats. Songs that would be ruined if not sung with the right emotion. Songs that could potentially be ruined if sung drunkenly. 

But…

“Are you telling me that…” Monty approached the mic, tapping it to make sure everyone heard him. “Did I hear that right Ben?”

“Monty.” Ben shut his eyes closed. 

“Did you just tell me our  handsome, British, sweetheart, muscly  lead singer is single now?” He questioned with a smirk knowing he’d gotten the attention. 

“Monty.” 

“Did you just tell me that?” Monty pushed. “Is Tom single?”

Ben shook his head annoyed. “Yes, Monty.” 

Monty smirked as he turned to the crowd. “Ladies… and no, actually, just the ladies, you just heard it! Our lead singer is recently single so I will need all of you to give him a warm welcome when he’s here, he’s going to need a lot of love. Will you guys help me with it?” 

And for now, he knew, he was back again at the race. 

character glossary next chapter masterlist

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i'm tagging some friends and some who asked, if you want to be added to the taglist tell me if you want to be removed, no worries tell me as well! :)

tags: @lnmp89 @blondygwendy @dangerousluv1 @love-granger @kikiwritesfanfics @astoldbydanid @erodasghosts @peterdarlingg @hollandweather @annathesillyfriend @mannien

#tom holland #tom holland x reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #peter parker #peter parker x reader #tom holland au #romeo tom holland #romeo and juliet au #spiderman x reader #tom holland fluff #tom holland smut #tom holland imagine #tom holland yes #twakid

[not-so-rosyyy]

TOM HOLLAND as Romeo Montague in Jamie Lloyd's Romeo and Juliet on the West End (May 2024) Original Photos by Marc Brenner

#tom holland #romeo and juliet #tomhollandedit #tomhollandnet #jamie lloyd #west end #theatre #spideycentral #mancandykings #marveldaily #marvel cast #marvelcastedit #mcufam #mensource #dailymen #dailymenedit #flawlesscelebs #flawlessgentlemen #*mine: edits

[tomhollandnet]

Exclusive first look at Romeo & Juliet

#2024: romeo & juliet #tom holland #francesca amewudah rivers

[sleepynegress]

*sigh* Featurism...

So, I woke up to this shit on the Twit app and I've only hit on this issue before, but today I'm digging in. Colorism is something that is not addressed often enough, but intersected within that and even more rarely spoken about, is the issue of featurism. The young actress above just got cast as Juliet in the latest big staged prestige production of Romeo and Juliet, opposite Tom Holland. And as usual the blue-checks, everybody else including "black", and even Black regulars are all-in on the cruelty.

...But I want to breakdown a nuance that is too often skipped over when this happens. The two people named with her, give away the featurism game, here; a particularly nasty form of often internalized racism. I guarantee if the young actress looked like this?

She'd definitely still get racist attacks, but the particularly nasty shit I'm seeing attacking her looks wouldn't come. In fact, I could see some people thinking they are defending her with "but she's pretty!" or more specific... "obviously she's mixed" comments. -Something pretty much every Black woman with features that don't align with a narrow perception of blackness hear often (and we'll get to why I specified women in a minute). And don't get it twisted...

These aren't exclusively nor standard white features either (see: the many ethnic features w/in white ethnic groups that also get hit to a lesser and non-racialized degree such as large "hook" and/or Romanesque noses for example, which is definitely about anti-semitism, anti-Romani sentiment, and other disparaged/discriminated against ethnic minorities in Europe) and yes, blue eyes are naturally occurring within non-mixed and dark-skinned Black people due to a mutation called Waardenburg syndrome. But there is a REASON why fetishizing even certain ethnic features within the African continental diaspora has been a thing for a long time...i.e. "the dopest Ethiopian" from the Tribe Called Quest lyric is pictured as this:

and this:

and not this:

...despite them all being Ethiopians of various tribal ethnicities.

A wide-nose, a tighter curl, coil, or zig-zag pattern of hair, fuller lips and often, but not always (because I've given examples above where features "mitigate" skin color) darker skin. Zendaya is grouped with Tracey and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, despite being both lighter in skin color and having a Black parent and a white parent because her nose isn't what has become the standard surgical look...that too many celebs have. This includes the ones who got so-called "ethnic" work or just a slight 'refinement'. No, her nose is born w/it, made for that good African air, as I call it. Nostrils prominent, nose bridge wide:

I went make-up free as well, because even make-up practices these days, go for that narrowing highlight technique i.e. just below it's subtle.

Sza is a an example of it taken to extremes, even with the Hollywood standard "ethnic" refinement she did get.

The thing is... I don't blame or attack her for that. Because you see above that is just a taste of what happens. Lil' Kim was relentlessly bullied by the men in her life for her ethnic features for her whole life...and that is why she is off-limits to this day for me when it comes to all the work she's had done.

...And this is where I explain why I specified men being mostly exempt. It's because "Blackness" including all the physical features associated with it, is by default masculinized. ...Which is why Idris Elba is considered one of the most handsome men in the world, w/o the caveats that even Lupita Nyong'o often gets. Nobody calls Samuel L. Jackson ugly. He is even idolized and fetishized by a specifically white male gaze for how culturally "Black" he is perceived to be for all the wrong reasons, his signature "motherfucka" for example (and I could go off on a whole other tangent here, but digressing). All this to say... Featurism sucks. It's not talked about enough. Blackness in all variations is Beautiful. Tracy Chapman looking as young she does?? Hell, mark it down to both her dark skin (a natural UV protector) and not messing with her given features (and being a lesbian, men will age you. lol -I got jokes-):

P.S. THANK GOODNESS for Tems and her rising prominence as a beauty as well:

P.P.S. Even Jay-Z the billionaire rapper has had the comments over the years about his lips and nose, hence that lyric in Beyonce's Formation.

#featurism #I only just scratched the surface #but man this shit needed to be scratched #colorism #racism #meta #tom holland #romeo and juliet #tracy chapman #lil kim #tems #jay z #sza #zendaya #francesca amewudah-rivers #francesca amewudah rivers

[hollandnews]

TOM HOLLAND AND ZENDAYA GOING TO LUNCH THIS MORNING IN LONDON! - 05/12

#tomdaya #tom holland #zendaya #may 10th #may 10 2024 #challengers #romeo and juliet #london #daily celebs #celebrity news #celebs #tom holland edit #male celebrities #celebrity

[neenaatyvm]

Some more cast pics and excerpts from the Programme for anyone interested.

#Romeo and Juliet #jamie lloyd #tom holland

[crazykuri]

🥰

#should have been a tom & his mug post but #last one is my favorite <3 #tom holland #romeo & juliet

[sunhlland]

Details, details of our sexy Romeo.

#tom holland #romeo and juliet

[not-so-rosyyy]

TOM HOLLAND as Romeo Montague & FRANCESCA AMEWUDAH-RIVERS as Juliet Capulet in Jamie Lloyd's Romeo and Juliet on the West End (May 2024) Original Photos by Marc Brenner

#tom holland #francesca amewudah rivers #romeo and juliet #tomhollandedit #tomhollandnet #jamie lloyd #west end #theatre #flawlesscelebs #*mine: edits

[destinyc1020]

👀

Well well well... What do we have here lol? 😅

Tom, Zendaya, Jacob, Harrison, Darnell, and Director Baz Luhrmann in Baz's Instagram story back in 2018. ☺️

It seems like Tom and Zendaya must have attended some type of Romeo + Juliet screening that Baz did.

My, how things come full circle! Now, Tom is playing Romeo in the stage play!! 😃👏🏾

The parallels...😊

#tom holland #zendaya #baz luhrmann #Romeo + Juliet #Instagram #2018 #I remember seeing this picture years ago #but now it's all clicking #wow... Hollywood is such a small place! 🤣

[tomhollandnet]

Tom leaving The Duke of York's theatre on Day 2 of Romeo & Juliet previews

#2024: romeo & juliet #tom holland

[spidey-strange]

Romeo, Romeo...

I am now living in a post Romeo & Juliet world. It might well be the only time I get to see it, but honestly what I saw on Saturday is going to stay with me forever. I wanted to put it down into words - my review of this play.

The first part of the experience is the music. We were in the bar and this repetitive rumble sound played over the tannoy, signalling that we were being called to Verona. We took our seats and we waited, all while more and more haze appeared across the sparsely-set stage and the music bore deep into my soul, gnarling and industrial, giving a sense of dystopian doom and foreboding. By the time the lights went out and the video screen showed 1597 in bright red lettering, I was already feeling a nervous nausea and an elevated heart rate.

This play is asking you to pretend, as much as they are. There is no set. There are no props. The actors stand like statues, dotted around, sometimes deep into the back of the stage as if ghostly apparitions. Sometimes the actors talk freely, other times they take their place behind mic stands as if part of a debating society. What happens on stage is coupled with video footage of other actors scattered around the bowels of the theatre, in the narrow backstage corridors, or even the theatre bar (and, of course, the roof). The fourth-wall breaks that often punctuate the end of these short video pieces eally pierce into your soul, looming over you, much like the mood of this whole production.

An example - as Mercutio lay dying, the camera is right in his face so you get the full pain and rage of him as he screams "a plague upon both your houses" and takes his final breaths. All the while, Romeo stands metres away, covered in blood, seething with unbridled rage, tears mixing with the blood of his friend.

The interval moment that follows literally made everyone gasp, a jumpscare that absolutely warrants the gravity of the moment. I won't say more because if there's even a 0.1% chance of you seeing it I don't want it ruined.

The second act of this play is decidedly quieter than the first. Clandestine conversations, whispers between characters, the comedy, gone. The deaths of Thibault and Mercutio loom large as the reality of the consequences kick in. Juliet remains defiant to the last - this is a Juliet who really knows what she wants (supported by Nurse, who is more like an older sister character full of kindness and friendly age-appropriate advice). As the end draws near, and the inevitability of what's about to happen (let's face it, we've all studied it at school, we know what happens!) becomes apparent, the silence in the theatre speaks volumes.

This production challenges you to see the traditional story through a far darker lens, and the blank spaces leave room for the oppressive mood and music to thrive and grow. It asks you to find answers in the quiet as much as the loud. It might be the best known love story of all time but the added weight of the staging proves everything hangs on the final line: "For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Now. Acting. And oh boy was there acting. I'm going to start with Mercutio (Joshua-Alexander Williams) and Paris (Daniel Quinn-Toye) - two actors who are in their first professional production. What pressure, and how they dealt with it. Particularly Joshua-Alexander! I thought Tomiwa Edun, who played Capulet, Juliet's father, was immense - so sinister in his delivery, he had me convinced he was head of a family and of a gang empire. And Freema Agyeman as Nurse was wonderful, as I said earlier, giving this big sister energy and providing delighful lighter moments against the shade. HUGE mention to Nima Taleghani who not only was an excellent Benvolio but also edited the original text to make it a 1hr 45 version that was powerful and punchy.

Now, our main stars. Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet was incredible. She was headstrong, she was poised, she was dynamic and still at the same time. She portrayed a Juliet desperate to be free from the confines of her family, but clear that she knew what she wanted from the love (and escape) she sought. The second act belonged to her, her stillness lingering.

And the reason I fought for a ticket, Tom Holland. I've seen him at film premieres and press events, and twice playing golf, but the opportunity to see him do what (as fans) we all know to be his true calling, was irresistible. And oh my God. Honestly I was blown away by his portrayal. Brooding, emotional, at times so quiet you had to strain to hear his lament. And then rage, euphoria, shyness, a fumbling lovesick idiot. Throughout the production he provides so much range, but also so much depth, it's impossible not to feel everything he does.

To see him, clearly in his element, providing a soul to Romeo that I've never felt before - I couldn't be prouder as a fan. For too long he has been tarred with the brush that he is not a "serious actor". As fans we know that The Devil all the Time, Cherry, and The Crowded Room are proof otherwise. This should be the moment the world realises he is INCREDIBLE, to be taken seriously, to be given the respect he is long overdue.

I wish beyond words that I get to see this play again. I hope at the very least it gets an NT live screening so that fans around the world get to witness this amazing, unique, innovative production.

Violent delights indeed have violent ends.

#tom holland #spoilers #romeo and juliet #romeo montague #jamie lloyd #theatre #west end #shakespeare #francesca amewudah rivers #freema agyeman

[margokesses]

People are talking shit about the new Juliette actress in that Romeo and Juliette play by saying that she looks "like a man" and I hate it so much.

I've also seen other black women say that she needs to put on makeup or something to look more feminine and honestly...

Idk idk I don't like this whole discourse and it makes me uncomfortable and annoyed. Anyways Francesca Amewudah Rivers looks beautiful

#francesca amewudah rivers #tom holland #romeo and juliet

[neenaatyvm]

Some more thoughts from yesterdays show:

Again, to preface I’m not a theatre aficionado. I’ve been to a few West End productions here and there and my knowledge of Romeo and Juliet is basically from back in Year 8 studying the text and watching R+J, so please do forgive me if I’m a bit uncouth with my opinions.

The set-up

It is very very minimalist. In terms of the set, it’s just the empty stage that they use and the metal grid you see below doubling up as a projector screen which they bring back and forth throughout the show. That Verona sign is literally only seen for like 1 minute and then removed for the rest of the play.

They used the camera operators quite often to show:

(a) whatever was going on outside the stage - e.g. when Romeo / Juliet make their initial entrances, they’re followed down some corridors and steps leading on to the stage; when Romeo (standing on the stage) first sees Juliet, she’s actually in the theatre foyer at the Capulet ball which we see play out on the big screen, as do Tybalt seeing Romeo and airing his grievances with Papa Capulet; Romeo on the roof scene;

(b) close ups of Juliet mainly providing juxtaposition to whatever scene was happening in the forefront - e.g. the Tybalt/Mercutio duel scene is intercut with dialogue from Juliet. They have the boys (Tybalt, Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio) standing in front of the screen which is in the position as in the picture all on their mic stands whilst Juliet is behind the the projector screen with the camera operator;

(c) when the cast were more towards the middle or back of the stage - e.g. the morning after the wedding scene focuses on Juliet and Romeo laying down with heads together but feet pointing opposite directions.

There were literally no props at all in this play (unless you count Romeo’s cigarettes and the fake blood), and no costume changes, apart from Tom but all he does is just take his hoodie off to show the tank top.

The cast use a mix of mics taped to their cheeks and the mic stands throughout the performance. There didn’t seem to be (or not obvious to me) a reasoning behind when they would use the mic stands and when not.

The pre-show and interval music was really good. I don’t think I picked up on any music actually being played during the play, if they did, it was very subtle as compared to the big bass/thrum of the pre-show music.

The performance

The play starts off with the duel between Benvolio and Tybalt. The dialogue itself is performed using the mic stands but in very hushed tones. This seemed to be a bit of a running theme where when you expected big spectacle fights, it was almost told in retrospect with whispered tones. There was some creative use of the spotlights whenever any characters were in front of the Prince akin to an interrogation scene.

Romeo is introduced via the camera shot walking behind him from the hallways onto the stage, where he ends up breaking down over Rosalin. Make no mistake, Romeo is just pathetic, and Tom has him blubbering and depressed sat curled up into himself at the front of the stage. These early scenes he really lent himself into a more traditional thespian actor. You start to see a bit more personality and less Shakespearean once Romeo and Juliet meet at the ball/after the ball.

There’s a good few comedic scenes which really lighten up the play, and brings these characters to life. Personal highlights was Romeo screaming at the top of his lungs when telling Friar he was in love with Juliet, Romeo’s little 🕺 (Juliet and Nurse also have a lil dancey dance). The Nurse character really was a stand out for me (Freema Ageyman is a babe), she was really funny and witty, and pretty sure there was a bit of a background romance being hinted between her and Juliet’s dad.

Loved the diversity in the cast from Caribbean Papa Capulet, roadman Mercutio and Benvolio, and Paris was such a ‘nothing-between-the-ears’ vibe.

Romeo

He was pathetic, he was depressed, he was in lust love, he was angry, he yearned, he begged, he cried, he danced, he laughed, and ultimately he died. There was definitely a lot of scope in what Tom brought to Romeo.

Tom’s stand out scene for me was the banishment scene, the visceral anger of Romeo is palpable, and you really feel it. Gone is the youth and here is a man just angry at the entire world.

Juliet

They did really well to bring Juliet to life in such a believable way. Other adaptations I’ve seen have painted Juliet as this innocent child who almost flutters in and out. Francesca was fantastic in portraying a Juliet who knows who she is, knows what she wants.

We’re cringing alongside her when Paris tried to sidle up to her at the ball, laughing along with her at the sisterly relationship she has with Nurse (even though Nurse makes such a big deal of her breastfeeding Juliet as a baby lmao).

She stands her ground, has an excellent scene with Papa Capulet where he’s telling her his plans of her to wed Paris but she’s adamant not to.

There’s also a gentleness to her and Francesca does so much with just her eyes. There’s a number of close ups of Juliet with the camera and you can just see the sorrow, anger or pain portrayed on her face. Really enjoyed her performance.

Romeo and Juliet

Back to Romeo being a bit pathetic, so their first meet is definitely a bit pathetic on Romeo’s behalf. He’s standing there shuffling on his feat, trying to speak, voice breaking, clearing his throat, and Juliet just looking on bemused.

They start talking and the horny gremlins then jump into kissing because the physical attraction is real lmao.

Tom and Francesca’s chemistry was so good. So much of their interaction relied on the way in which they looked at each other and even from the top of the theatre you could just see the yearning from them both.

Juliet’s balcony scene was a highlight. Again the yearning, flirting and desire, with Jamie having Francesca and Tom literally standing with their faces an inch apart all up in each others spaces for a good 10 mins, it was just electric.

What also was interesting for me was just how well the play does in bringing to life the sequence of events of the play:

Sunday: Depressed Romeo is moping over Rosalin. His boys take him to a party and he fall in lust love with Juliet.

Monday: Romeo and Juliet get married. Tybalt and Mercutio die.

Tuesday: Romeo is banished. Friar and Juliet hatch a plan to stave off the impending marriage to Paris (planned for Thursday).

Wednesday: No one tells Romeo of the plan. He drinks poison and dies, Juliet awakens, sees Romeo dead, also dies.

These were just two dumb kids in reality and it shows.

The Pros

The cast was superb.

The comedic elements.

The minimalism was good, you were sucked in by the performance so the lack of costumes, music, props etc weren’t that noticeable.

The Cons

Mama Montague was probably the least used character in the entire play. We barely saw much of her acting at all.

Juliet’s death was a bit underwhelming for me - she awakes from her slumber to see Romeo dead at her side and there’s no real reaction. She laments their fortunes and follows in death - it just seemed a bit jarring when the rest of the play seemed to be so lifelike to then revert to that bland death scene.

Pacing in the second half was a bit slow. There were one or two scenes with extended dialogue/monologues which I was kind of lost in. I think this was compounded by the literal lack of movement on the stage at those points.

They could think more about what parts should be projected for the screen. Tom and Francesca honestly did so well to really showcase their chemistry literally staring into each others eyes but very little of their interactions we actually got a close up look of.

Still have no idea what ‘stunt’ they were planning which led to the technical delays. None of what we saw in terms of the roof scene would really fall under the stunt banner, unless they were planning something else.

#romeo and juliet #spoilers #tom holland

[danielkafffee]

no thoughts. just tom holland and francesca amewudah-rivers. amazing cast, insane production✨

#tom holland #romeo and juliet #west end #can’t believe i saw this with my own eyes

[thollandnewsbra]

Tom Holland and Zendaya were seen last Friday, May 10th, going to lunch during the actor's break from rehearsals for 'ROMEO & JULIET'. The actress returned home immediately after the MET Gala and is watching the play, which begins its previews tomorrow, the 13th.

#tom holland #zendaya #tomdaya #couple #it couple #it boy #it girl #london #fashion #candids #out and about #street #street style #love #shakespeare #romeo and juliet #romeu #romeo #romeu e julieta #play #west end #broadway #met gala #challengers