MIDLANDS OBSERVER
  
Review - Shakespeare 4 Kidz ROMEO AND JULIET : Wolverhampton Grand
 
If William Shakespeare could see this musical version of his famous love story, staged by the hugely talented Shakespeare 4 Kidz company, I'm sure he would be delighted.

Hundreds of schoolchildren roared their approval before going home and no doubt telling their parents: "You should have been there". It was that good.

I left the theatre wishing this company had existed when I was at school and trying to fathom what the Bard was trying to say in his plays.

Formed ten years ago, SFK have been seen by thousands of youngsters all over the country, and during their two-day visit to Wolverhampton they also produced Macbeth.

I have seen many of their shows, and enjoyed them. But this was defnintely the best, staged in modern dress with a bunch of super songs and excellent singers.

In the story of the hatred between the Montagues and Capulets of Verona, Alex Tomkins and Serena Giacomini were a delight as the star-crossed lovers from the rival families, with Emma Bennett wonderful as Nurse.

A terrific performance, too, from Greg Ashton, the scheming Fransiscan Friar John, whose cunning plan to help the lovers hit as snag with tragic consequensces.

Memo to SFK: Why not start performing for adults, too.

Paul Marston