PROLOGUE

Narrator

There are two big families in fair Verona where we find ourselves, the Capulets and the
Montagues.

They really hate each other.

An ancient grudge forever holds them, condemns them to be enemies.

From within their two houses, Juliet, a Capulet, and Romeo, a Montague, a pair of
star-crossed lovers, take their life.

And with their death, they bury their parents’ fight.

STREETFIGHT
I’ll be a Capulet! I’ll be a Montague!

Tybalt

Filthy Montague pig!

Mercutio

Don’t you dare look me in the eye, Capulet rat - catcher!

Tybalt

O, my eye hurts to look upon you. (Bites thumb and starts to walk away)

Mercutio

Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?

Tybalt

I do bite my thumb, sir.

Mercutio

Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?

Tybalt
I do bite my thumb… At you, sir.

Mercutio

Put up thy sword.

Tybalt

Have at thee, coward!

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(They fight. Everyone gathers to watch the fight, until the Narrator steps forward to stop
them)

Narrator

Street fights like these, between the Montagues and the Capulets were no rare occasion in
Verona. In fact, they fought so much that the Prince of Verona announced that if a Capulet
and a Montague ever started a fight again, they would be sentenced to death.

Meanwhile, in Capulet House, a party is about to begin. Juliet is getting ready, with the help
of her good nurse.

THE PARTY
I’ll be Juliet! I’ll be the Nurse!

Nurse

My love, Juliet,
Would you like to be married?

Juliet

It is an honor that I dream not of, good nurse.

Nurse

Your father has found a match for you, the kind Paris.

A man, young lady! Lady, such a handsome man that Paris! What do you think? Could you
love him?

Juliet

I will be open-minded, good nurse, if that is my mother and father’s wish.

Narrator

Meanwhile, Romeo, from the house of Montague, and his good friend Mercutio, are also
preparing to go the party, uninvited.

Romeo

It is not wise to go the party. It shall be filled with our enemies.

Mercutio

Nay, gentle Romeo. We must have you dance. From time to time, a man needs to forget his
troubles. Besides, it is a masquerade and we shall have our masks on the whole time.

Romeo

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I know you mean well in going; but I have a bad feeling about this.

(Music plays and the dance begins. They all start dancing. At some point Romeo spots
Juliet.)

Romeo

(To himself) Who is that lady? A sunny summer’s day? O, she makes my soul rejoice! Did
my heart love till now? I never saw true beauty till this night.

(Romeo now dances with Juliet. He is wearing a mask, so she doesn’t know who he is.)

Romeo

Forgive my unworthiest hand

for touching yours.

But worry not,

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, are ready

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

Juliet

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

For saints have hands that pilgrim’s hands do touch -

Romeo

Have not saints lips?

Juliet

Aye, pilgrim, lips with which to pray.

Romeo

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do! (He kisses her)

Juliet

Could anyone call this a sin?

Romeo

And if they did, I would take all the blame. Sin? From my lips? Forgive me, sweet lady! Give
me my sin again (Kiss again)

Nurse

Madam, your mother wants a word with you.

(Juliet crosses to talk to her mother)

Romeo

(To the Nurse) Who is her mother?

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Nurse

Her mother is the lady of the house.

Romeo

(To himself) Is she a Capulet?

O, no. My life is now my enemy’s. (Runs to his friends and prepares to exit)

(Juliet crosses back the Nurse)

Juliet

Who was that man, good nurse?

Nurse

I know not.

Juliet

Go ask his name. (Nurse crosses to Romeo, catching him before he exits) Please don’t be
married or my grave will be my wedding bed.

Nurse

(Returning quickly to Juliet) His name is Romeo, and a Montague; The only son of your great
enemy.

Juliet

Good lord! My only love came from my only hate!

(The party ends.)

Narrator

And so our two young lovers met, and fell in love, despite their families being sworn
enemies. Later that night, Romeo couldn’t keep himself from visiting Juliet to see her. He
stood beneath her balcony.

THE BALCONY
Romeo

But soft! What light through that there window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief

That you are far more fair than any moon.

It is you, my lady; O, it is my love!

O that she knew she were!

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She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that? See how she leans her cheek upon her
hand!

O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!

Juliet

Aye me!

Romeo

She speaks.

Juliet

Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore are thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name!
Then, give your love to me, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo (aside)
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak to her?

Juliet

It’s only your name that is my enemy.

You are yourself, not a Montague. What’s Montague? It is not hand nor foot, nor arm, nor
face, nor any other part belonging to a man. Just be some other name! What’s in a name? If
we called a rose by any other name it would still smell just as sweet.
The same with Romeo, no matter what he is called. Romeo, refuse your name;
And for that name, which is no real part of you, take all of myself.

Romeo

I take you at your word. From now on, I never will be Romeo.

Juliet

It’s you! My lord, if they do see you, they will kill you.

Romeo

I have night’s cloak to hide me from their sight.

Juliet

O gentle Romeo,

The night’s cloak falls upon my face too, or else you’d see me blushing for what you heard
me confess tonight. But I will not deny it, or play games with you. I will not hide my feelings, I
cannot. I love you, Romeo, it is true. Do you love me? Say you love me. But if you think I fell
too fast -

Romeo

Lady, by this here moon I swear

Juliet

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O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, that changes every day!

Romeo

What shall I swear by?

Juliet

Do not swear at all;

Or if you will, swear by yourself,
Swear by yourself, the man I love, and I’ll believe you.

Romeo

I swear, if my heart’s dear love-

Juliet

Well, do not swear. This can’t be done tonight.

Romeo

O, will you leave me so unsatisfied?

Juliet

What satisfaction can you have tonight?

Romeo

Our love’s vow.

Juliet

I hear some noise within. Dear love, goodbye! (Shouting inside) I’m coming, good nurse!

Sweet Montague, be true.

If your love is honorable, your purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow, by my own nurse
that I will send to you, and let me know how everything’s arranged; when and where we are
to marry.
And then I’ll be forever yours, you forever mine, the world forever ours.

Nurse

(from offstage) Madam!

Juliet

I’m coming!

Nurse

Madam!

Juliet

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I’m coming!
Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night until
tomorrow.

(She exits)

Romeo

Sleep well, my love, and I will take care of everything. Now I will go to my spiritual father, the
friar Lawrence. Surely he will help me. Surely he will accept.

I’ll be the friar Laurence!

THE WEDDING PLANS

Narrator

And so, good Romeo came to find me. He told me that the young lovers wished to marry and
asked me to perform their wedding, in secret. Of course, I agreed. The course of true love
never did run smooth. And perhaps this wedding could finally bring the feuding families
together.

Meanwhile, Juliet had no news of this yet, and anxious as she was, she sent her Nurse to
find out what Romeo had planned. The Nurse took her mission very seriously. She snuck out
of the House and found Romeo, who told her of the wedding plans. Juliet was waiting
nervously.

Juliet

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse; In half an hour she promised to return.
Perhaps she cannot find him. (Enter Nurse) O gοοd, she comes! O sweet sweet nurse, what
news of my love?

Nurse

I am tired, give me leave awhile. Ah, how my bones ache!

What a difficult journey have I had!

Juliet

Nay come, I’ m begging you, speak. Good, good nurse, speak.

Nurse

Do you not see that I am out of breath?

Juliet

How are you out of breath when you have breath

To say to me that you are out of breath?

Nurse

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Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I!

Juliet

What says he to our marriage? What of that? Pray, speak good nurse!

Nurse

Do you have permission to go for confession today?

Juliet

I have.

Nurse

Then off you go to Friar Laurence’ cell; There is your Romeo, a husband waiting to make
you a wife.

Juliet

Bless you, honest nurse, farewell!

Narrator

And off she went to find Romeo. Off she went to get married.

THE WEDDING
Friar Laurence’s cell

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE, ROMEO and JULIET - A small wedding ceremony is performed;
blessings, exchange of rings, the kissing of the bride, etc. Perhaps with music.)

Friar Laurence

(As the ceremony concludes.)

So smile the heavens upon this holy act.

(Romeo and Juliet sit together happily. Enter Mercutio and Tybalt)

Narrator

So the two lovers were now husband and wife. However, no longer than a few hours later,
there would already be trouble in paradise.

THE TROUBLE
Tybalt

Oh, there you are again, Montague snake.

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Mercutio

Where you looking for me, Capulet cockroach?

Tybalt

Get off my sight, sir, if you don’t want to feel my anger.

Mercutio

Off I go, sir. (Under his breath) Fool.

(Romeo notices the stirrup and approaches)

Tybalt

Romeo! Oh, how I hate you and everyone like you!

Romeo

Tybalt, please, I protest, I never did you no harm. We have no reason to hate each other. On
the contrary, I love you and your name, good Capulet.

Tybalt (enraged)

You are making fun of me!

Mercutio

(Draws) Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you fight?

Tybalt

What do you want with me?

Mercutio

Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives.

(Draws and they fight)

Romeo

Gentlemen, for shame, stop this madness!

This is forbidden! Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!

(Romeo tries to hold Mercutio back; Tybalt under Romeo’s arm stabs Mercutio, and then
flees)

Mercutio

I am hurt.
A plague on both your houses!

Romeo

My friend!

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Mercutio

Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me in a grave. Why did you come between us? It
was under your arm that he managed to strike me.

The Capulets and the Montagues have killed me. A plague on both your houses! They have
made worms' meat of me.

(Dies)

(Re-enter Tybalt, drawn)

Romeo

You killed him, Tybalt — but Mercutio's soul

Is still here above our heads,
waiting for yours to keep him company: Either you, or I, or both, must go with him!

(They fight; Tybalt is slain)

Romeo

O, what have I done! (Exit Romeo, running)

Narrator

Crowds arrived just in time to see that Romeo had killed Tybalt. It was chaos.

Lady Capulet (Crying)

Romeo killed Tybalt, Romeo must not live!

Montague

Not Romeo, let him be! He friend was killed; The debt is paid. A life for a life.

Narrator

And then the Prince of Verona made an announcement:

Romeo is no longer welcome here. Immediately we exile him! If he ever returns to Verona,
then he shall die.

Juliet (to herself)

What storm is this? These should be our hours of joy, and yet I cry for my dear cousin, killed
by my dear husband’s hand. And I cry for my dear husband, my Romeo, who still I can’t stop
loving. Where have you gone, my Romeo?

(Romeo appears carefully and calls for Juliet)

Romeo

Forgive me, my love. Farewell, farewell.

Juliet

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O Romeo, what have you done?

Romeo

I pray for your forgiveness.

Juliet

I weep for my cousin. But I forgive you already, I cannot help it. O Romeo I do not want this
night to end, for when morning comes you must leave Verona.

Romeo

I will leave Verona, but not you.

Juliet

O, and if this night could last forever!

Romeo

I will stay and die, if that is what my Juliet wants.

Juliet

No, no, you must go. Leave. Will we ever meet again?

Romeo

We will, my love; and all these problems shall give way

to the sweet moments that lay ahead of us. (He exits)

Narrator - Lawrence

And so Romeo left Verona. Meanwhile, not long after the double killing, Juliet’s father
decided that she would marry Paris, a young man that he found worthy of his daughter’s
hand. Of course, Juliet, already married and deeply in love with Romeo, said no. That made
her father very angry, and her mother very disappointed. They told her that if she did not
agree to the wedding they would no longer think of her as their daughter, and they would
kick her out on the street.

(Juliet cries on Nurse’s knees, as she tries to comfort her.)

Narrator

But good Juliet could not betray her own heart. So she went to find friar Lawrence, and they
came up with a plan, so that Romeo and Juliet could find a way to be together. But it was a
dangerous plan.

THE DEATH PLAN

Juliet

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Whatever it is, I will do it without fear or doubt,
Whatever, to be with my sweet love.

Friar

Then listen carefully. Go home and tell them you will marry Paris. But when you go to bed,
drink this.

This will make it look like you have died. No warmth, no breath, no color in your cheeks, no
sign of life. But for you it will be like a long, heavy sleep, and 2 days later you will wake up.

I will make sure to get Romeo here by then, so that the two of you can escape together,
without anyone knowing. Everyone will think you dead, and him exiled. Then you will live
happily ever after.

Juliet

Give me, give me! (She takes the potion) Love give me strength!
Farewell, dear friar.

(She walks away)

And what if this doesn’t work? Will I have to marry that Paris?

What if the old man gave me true poison? No, no he could not.

But what if I wake up in the grave before my Romeo comes? What if I panic? What if I
cannot breath and die before he comes?

What if I see the ghosts of all our dead? What if Tybalt’s ghost comes to get me and my
Romeo?

Wait Tybalt!

My Romeo, here I come! I drink this to your health. Cheers!

(She takes the potion)

(Enter Nurse, with wedding band, to find Juliet asleep)

Nurse

My dear! Juliet!
Wake up, my love, we have so much to do for your big day! Aren’t you excited? What, not a
word? What a sleepyhead!

(Gently nudges her)

Oh my god! Help! My lady is dead! Help! Juliet is dead!

Narrator

And so, while the Capulets were preparing for a wedding, they ended up having a funeral,
for they believed that Juliet was really dead. Meanwhile, Romeo is hiding in another city,
waiting for a letter from the friar with instructions for the plan. But a different letter found him

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first. The news of Juliet’s supposed death. And so Romeo believed that his Juliet had died,
and he immediately decided to go see her with his own eyes. But before that, he bought a
vial of poison with which to kill himself if the rumors were true.

Lawrence

I tried to get there before Romeo, to solve the misunderstanding, but, alas, he was fast…

(Juliet laid out in the tomb and covered by cloth. Romeo enters)

THE FINAL GOODBYES

Romeo

O my love! My wife!
Ah, dear Juliet, how are you still so beautiful?
I will not leave you alone in this cold place. Eyes, look, for the last time. Arms, take your last
embrace!
Here’s to my love! (Drinks the poison.) O this will be quick, I feel it inside of me. Thus with a
kiss I die.

(Romeo kisses Juliet and falls next to her, dead.)

(Enter Friar)

Juliet

Where is my lord? I do remember well where I should be, And there I am. Where is my
Romeo?

(Noise off stage)

What? What’s here? A cup closed in my true love’s hand? Poison, I see, has been his
timeless end.
O he drunk it all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss your lips.

Perhaps there’s still some poison on them.

(More noise off stage)

I must be quick.
O happy dagger!
This is your sheath; there rest, and let me die.

(Juliet stabs herself and falls over Romeo. Capulets, Montagues, Prince, and others enter)

Narrator

Capulet, Montague,
look and see what your hatred has brought onto you.

Your hatred has killed your children.

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Capulet

Our own children are our victims. O brother Montague, give me your hand.

Montague

I will raise your daughter’s statue in pure gold,

True and faithful Juliet shall never be forgotten.

Capulet

And good Romeo’s statue will stand by his lady’s. With our friendship we shall honor their
sacrifice.

Narrator

A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun will not shine on this day. Go on, and
talk about these sad things; Do not forget these children, whose only crime was that they
loved too much. Do not let blind hatred rule anyone’s life again.

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

CURTAIN

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