Derek Jacobi to star in virtual production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Sam Tutty plays the title male role, filmed under Coronavirus restrictions.

UPDATE: Romeo and Juliet will now be available to stream for an extra week, available to 27 February.

A virtual adaptation of Romeo and Juliet will premiere next month, with full casting announced for the production. Derek Jacobi will join the cast as the narrator, available to watch from 13 - 27 February.

The two-time Olivier Award-winning actor was a founding member of the National Theatre, alongside Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith. In a theatre career spanning over 60 years, his recent credits include Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre, as well as playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Philip II in Don Carlos.

He's joined by Sam Tutty as Romeo, who won his first Olivier Award for his performance in Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre. Emily Redpath plays Juliet, alongside Brandon Bassir as Mercutio, Daniel Bowerbank as Benvolio, Jonny Labey as Paris, Sylvester Akinrolabu as Tybalt, Helen Anker as Capulet, Marc Ozall as Montague, Lucy Tregear as Nurse, Vinta Morgan as Friar, Jessica Murrain as Prince, Timmy Driscoll as Sam, Tats Nyazika as Gregory, Iskandar Eton as Abe and Ollie Tennant as Balthasar.

Filmed under Coronavirus restrictions to ensure safety of all cast members and creatives, the production has used new technology to fuse two actors in one scene, making it seem as if they were filming together.

Romeo and Juliet is available from 13 - 27 February. For more information, read here.

^{Photo credit: Emily Redpath as Juliet & Sam Tutty as Romeo (Photo by Ryan Metcalfe)}