Bilingual production of Romeo a Juliet makes history at Shakespeare's Globe

Theatr Cymru's production of Romeo a Juliet made history as the first Welsh-language production to play at Shakespeare’s Globe. The iconic London theatre (a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, built in 1599) has been hosting performances since 1997, but a new version of Shakespeare’s timeless Romeo and Juliet, produced by Theatr Cymru, was the first production at the venue to feature the Welsh language. The new version of the beloved tale was performed half in Welsh and half in English, with the story’s two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues, speaking in English and Cymraeg (Welsh) respectively. Audiences heard some of Shakespeare's best-loved monologues delivered in the Welsh tongue, although Theatr Cymru’s translation app, Sibrwd, was also on hand to provide assistance to audience members. Play director Steffan Donnelly said: 'This is a significant milestone for the Welsh language, for Theatr Cymru, for the Globe and for the growing popularity and creativity of bilingual theatre-making. Most of the world’s population speak more than one language, and the complexities of a dual identity are a perfect frame for Shakespeare’s classic play about two families in conflict. We are extremely proud and excited to share this production with audiences on both sides of the border.' More: https://www.wales.com/news/united-kingdom/bilingual-version-romeo-and-juliet-set-show-iconic-shakespeare-venue