Exeter Northcott Theatre presents
Romeo & Juliet
By William Shakespeare, directed by Martin Berry
★★★★★
“An accessible, highly engaging and wonderfully perceptive show”
London Theatre 1
★★★★
“A fresh take on a timeless classic… unmissable”
Radio Exe
Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love and tragedy is our first ‘Made by Exeter Northcott’ production of 2025.
As Romeo and Juliet fall in love, defy their warring families and make their disastrous decision to escape together, the play powerfully brings home the inescapable truth that a peaceful world can only be achieved through compassion, love and understanding.
Following the 5-star hit The Commotion Time, our Creative Director, Martin Berry, once again brings together a brilliant professional cast and creative team, this time putting Shakespeare’s drama, original language and contemporary themes back on the Northcott stage.
Alongside the professional cast, Romeo & Juliet will also feature an ensemble of local young performers.
★★★★
“A creative masterpiece”
Pink Prince Theatre
★★★★
“Offers something for everyone”
Beyond the Curtain
“It’s a modern, funky, fierce, fast-paced and lively production that brings the play bang up-to-date in a funny and utterly engaging way.”
Muddy Stilettos
Hear from our audiences
“The perfect blend of humour and tragedy. Shakespeare with a modern twist done to PERFECTION.”
“The performance was excellent: vibrant, fresh, energetic and funny but equally moving… worth seeing again.”
“The play was so funny, I didn’t expect that. But then so heartfelt and touching as well.”
“It was easily the best version of the balcony scene that I have seen.”
“Fast-paced and full of emotion!”
Age guidance 9+, with parental guidance
Romeo and Juliet is well known as a story that features emotional scenes and acts of violence. Whilst our production does not include gratuitous depictions of violence (although there is some use of artificial blood), and the scenes of intimacy are not sexually explicit, we advise those bringing younger audience members to exercise their own judgement as to the sensibilities of the young people they plan to bring to the show.
Schools performances available
Interested in making a booking for your class or home school group? Take a look at our schools performance schedule for Romeo & Juliet and contact [email protected] for details and bookings.
BSL-interpreted performance
Fri 11 Jul, 7.30pm– interpretation by Sarah Ankers, provided by The Inclusivity Group.
Audio-described performance
Sat 12 Jul, 2.30pm – a touch tour of the set is available at 1.30pm. If you would like to attend the touch tour, please get in touch with our Box Office team on 01392 72 63 63 or via [email protected].
Peek behind the scenes
Take a deep dive into our production and the history of Shakespeare’s work at the Northcott.
Post-show discussion 11 July
Join us for a post-show discussion following Exeter Northcott’s new production of Romeo and Juliet. The conversation will feature cast members, director Martin Berry, and University of Exeter academic Victoria Sparey. Together, they’ll reflect on the creative process, the production’s themes, and how Shakespeare’s work speaks to today. Victoria will offer insight from her research into reimagining Shakespeare for modern audiences. Audiences are encouraged to stay, ask questions and share thoughts in what promises to be a lively and engaging exploration of the play’s lasting power and relevance.
Victoria Sparey is a respected member of the academic staff at Exeter, known for her inclusive pedagogical practice and her leadership in courses that challenge canonical interpretations – particularly of Shakespeare. As a senior educator involved in “Rethinking Shakespeare”, an undergraduate module focused on critical approaches to Shakespeare, including themes like misogyny and ableism, she is recognised for her commitment to accessible and critically informed teaching.
NUHAZET DIAZ CANO
PRINCE & PARIS
Training: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, BA Hons Acting.
Theatre includes; Pablo in A Streetcar Named Desire (Sheffield Crucible)
Screen includes; Donovan in Cold Water (ITV)
BBC Carlton Hobbs Winner ’24.
IMOGEN FRANCES
LADY CAPULET & BENVOLIO
Imogen (they/she) is a Manchester born, Devon bred, and London based actor, director, intimacy director, and writer. They’re most passionate about female-centred and queer stories.
As a director, their production of Paul Bradshaw’s tell me straight won The Standing Ovation Award, 2022.
As an intimacy director they’re currently on The Accelerator Program with IDC Professionals and mostly recently worked on Outlying Islands (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Bellringers (Hampstead Theatre).
As a writer, she’s currently on Exeter Northcott Theatre’s Elevate Writers Scheme. In 2024 their play WOM(b)AN was selected for development at The Young Vic and to be a part of Reclaim Festival. Imogen’s debut play ; (pause before continuing) made the long-list for the RSC’s 37 Plays Award in 2023. As an actor, they most recently played the role of Anna Magdalena in Bach’s Art of Fugue (The Barbican Theatre).
Imogen is thrilled to return to the Northcott where their acting journey began as a teenager attending the evening classes & summer schools!
MADISON GRACE
JULIET
Madison Grace is an actor-musician and singer-songwriter from Salisbury and graduated from Rose Bruford College last September.
At the end of last year she finished her debut professional stage appearance in 1984 at The Hackney Town Hall.
Last summer, Madison made her music festival debut at Latitude on the BBC Introducing stage and is performing at venues in and around London.
Madison is absolutely thrilled to be joining this exciting production of Romeo & Juliet.
IZZIE HARDING-PERROTT
ROMEO
Izzie is an actor, comedian, and writer who grew up in East Devon before studying Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic at the University of Cambridge. There, they trained in comedy with the Cambridge Footlights and drama with the Marlowe Society.
Theatre includes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Marlowe Society/Cambridge Arts Theatre), Bear Traps (Tonne of Honey/Golden Goose Theatre), Second Temple (Riverside Studios).
Comedy and writing includes: LEECH! (Bread and Roses Theatre), The Footlights Tour Show 2024: The Search Continues! (The Cambridge Footlights/Pleasance/ADC Theatre), The Footlights Spring Revue: No More Funny Business (ADC Theatre), Horrible Herstories (Edinburgh Fringe 2023), The CUADC/Footlights Pantomime 2021: Rapunzel! (ADC/ Footlights).
Short film includes: BOXES (Pentabus/Rural Media), The Pilgrimage (Quite the Cowboy Prods).
Izzie was also a member of the Pentabus Young Writers National Programme in 2024.
TARAASH MEHROTRA
MERCUTIO & FRIAR
Taraash (he/him) is an actor and writer who trained at Mountview. He is also the co-founder of theatre company, It’s A Dud. Coming from a family of Partition survivors, he is fiercely passionate about representation and telling stories about resilience and liberation.
Theatre credits include: Optimise The Interim (Baron’s Court Theatre), Big on Communication (Theatre503), Arti — Poleroid Theatre (Southwark Playhouse), The Command Centre (World Defence Show).
Screen credits include: Masters of the Air (Apple TV), Hollyoaks (Channel 4), Pennyworth (HBOMax), Shakuntala Devi (Amazon Prime).
JODIE MICCICHÉ
NURSE & TYBALT
Jodie graduated from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with an MA in Musical Theatre, and from LIPA with a BA in Acting.
Theatre credits include: Cinderella (Exeter Northcott); Merry Wives of Windsor (The Pantaloons); Dick Whittington (Exeter Northcott); Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (The Pantaloons); Robin Hood (Exeter Northcott); Alice in Wonderland (Folksy Theatre); Great Expectations (The Pataloons), The Little Match Girl (Folksy Theatre); The Tempest (Folksy Theatre); Twelfth Night (The Pantaloons); Sleeping Beauty (Wisecracker/Rhodes Arts Complex); Pinocchio (Torch Theatre).
Commercial credits include: Edgar Wright’s McDonald’s campaign ‘Raise Your Arches’.
Martin Berry
Director
Martin is the Creative Director and Joint Chief Executive of the Exeter Northcott Theatre.
Over his career, Martin has directed more than 40 productions across the UK. His credits include Cinderella and The Commotion Time at the Exeter Northcott Theatre; Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, and The Merchant of Venice at Nottingham Playhouse; and a trio of festive favourites, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Beauty and the Beast, at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. His work with Aurora Orchestra on Playing With Fire took him to the Royal Festival Hall and on a European tour, while original musical Hubbub: A Musical Adventure delighted audiences at Kings Place and across two UK tours.
Martin’s directing work also extends to The Libertine (Ovalhouse London), Smile (three UK and international tours), and a range of acclaimed productions at Lakeside Arts Centre including Blue Stockings, Oedipus, Lysistrata, Neverland, and A Christmas Carol. A passionate advocate for community engagement, he has led large-scale participatory projects such as The Jungle Book, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, and Into The Woods.
Before joining the Northcott, Martin was Director of Participation at Nottingham Playhouse and Chair of the UK Theatre Education Forum. He has also taught and directed at several of the UK’s top drama schools, including RADA and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Marcus Bartlett
Lighting Designer
Exeter-based lighting designer Marcus is also the Northcott Theatre’s Technical Manager of Lighting and Sound. Has designed lighting on Exeter Northcott and Le Navet Bete’s pantomimes Robin Hood and Dick Wittington. Also, with Exeter Northcott on The Commotion Time, The Honey Man and Antigone. With Le Navet Bete on The Three Musketeers, Dracula: The Bloody Truth, A Christmas Carol and Aladdin.
He’s also worked extensively with Triatre Theatre in Barcelona, Quirk Theatre and Exeter Phoenix. He spent many years touring with Theatre Alibi lighting designing and technical managing on: Why the Whales Came, One in a Million, The Crowstarver, Caught, Spies, Cobbo, The Ministry of Fear, Gouchers War, Curiosity Shop, The boy who climbed into the moon, Falling and Riverland. Also, with Forkbeard Fantasy on: Fall of the House of Usherettes, Rough Magyck (with the RSC) and The Colour of Nonsense.
In some of the summer months Marcus can be found as lighting designer at Beautiful Days theatre tent, Gone Wild festivals and Sidmouth folk festival.
His lighting with live music includes Bellowhead, Afro Celt Sound System and Ward Thomas. He’s extensively toured with Show of Hands playing venues from The Royal Albert Hall to The Minack Theatre in Cornwall.
Maisie Carter
Fight Director
Maisie discovered fight choreography while training at Guildford School of Acting. Certified as instructor and fight director, she is the founder of MC Combat. The company advocates for female fight performers and provides expert training in stage/screen combat.
Select Credits: Clueless (Trafalgar Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, Comedy of Errors, The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe), Da Vinci Code (Salisbury Playhouse), Backstroke (Donmar), Reykjavik, The Divine Mrs S (Hampstead Theatre), The Leftbehinds (National Theatre), Gone Too Far (National Youth Theatre), The Clinic (Almeida), Favour, Fair Play (Bush Theatre), Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs, Lava (Soho Theatre), Grimes, Figaro, Il Trittico (WNO), Rigoletto (Royal Opera House), The Commitments, The Boy At The Back Of The Class, Blue Beard (UK tours), Tosca (Grange Festival), Summer 1954 (English Touring Theatre), The Mountaintop (Chipping Norton), Animal Farm, Robin Hood, Sweet Science Of Bruising (The Egg Theatre), Firebird (King’s Head Theatre)
Associate Credits: Kiss Me Kate (Barbican), An Officer and a Gentleman and Bugsy Malone (UK tours), The Drifter’s Girl (Garrick Theatre), Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), Gunpowder Plot (Layered Reality).
Fight Coordinator Credits: Gavin & Stacey: The Finale (Tidy/BBC), The Wasp (XYZ Films) with Natalie Dormer And Naomi Harris, The Forge (Mind Engagement Productions) with James Cosmo.
Robin Colyer
Sound Designer
Robin trained at Guilford School of Acting and studied with celebrated double bassist and composer Tony Osborne before embarking on a diverse career in theatre. As a composer, sound designer and musical director, Robin has a special interest in actor-musicianship, spatial audio, extended piano techniques, and found sounds. As a musician, Robin works as a bassist, percussionist and ensemble leader, and plays with Sol Samba, Gypsy Jazz trio Manouche Etcetera and Cuban-style big band Ran Kan Kan.
Sound design and composition credits include: Breaking the Code (Royal and Derngate); Mariupol (The Cockpit, Pleasance Theatres); Cinderella (Exeter Northcott); Story Seekers (Oxford Playhouse); Much Ado About Nothing and The King’s Speech (Watermill Theatre); Glacier (Old Fire Station); No Dogs Audio Drama, Daily Bread, The Kitchen, Don Q, An Enemy of the People and Love And Information (Flintlock Theatre); A New Coat For Christmas and What To Do When You Find A Dinosaur (Oxford Playhouse); Genevieve & Malcolm’s Steamy Adventure and Four Score Years And Ten (Hat Fair, Theatre Royal Winchester).
Fi Russell
Set and Costume Designer
Having trained at LAMDA, Fi has been a professional designer for over 15 years. Recent highlights include: working on the Northcott’s 5-star production of The Commotion Time, designing set and costume for Hound of the Baskervilles at Theatre by the Lake Keswick (5 stars) and designing Quirk’s production of Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow which won the Exeter Sustainability Awards for using almost entirely recycled materials for the set, costumes and props. Fi also has the privilege of regularly working with Le Navet Bete, most recently designing the set and costume for King Arthur and the set for Treasure Island, both of which are currently touring the UK.
Maria Tarokh
Choreographer
Maria is a Devon-based British-Iranian dance artist, choreographer, movement director, and director. She trained in ballet, contemporary and classical Persian dance at Alonzo King Lines Ballet, ODC Dance Commons, Ballet Afsaneh and The Place. She has been teaching and performing for 14 years, with a predominant practice of contemporary dance. She is company dancer for Swift Dance Co, Ballet Afsaneh and Salaam Salaam Theatre.
She works across dance and theatre, having spent the last 6 years working on theatre productions. She is a Lead Facilitator on Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Our Space programme. Recent Movement Director credits include Olivier Award-nominated, RSC production of ENGLISH — a Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
A key part of her practice is working with non-professional artists. She has a strong community focus, working with young people, vulnerable people and refugees and asylum seekers.
She is Artistic Director of Company SHEherazade, a touring dance company, and Co-Director of NDP Circus, working with theatre, circus, and dance on site-specific outdoor productions.
Overall credits and partners include Brit Awards, RSC, Shakespeare’s Globe, Strike a Light, Kala Sangam, Migration Matters, Richmix London, The Vaults, Oxford Fire Station.
Book our VIP Seats for the best theatre experience
The best seats in the house are reserved for those looking for the cherry on top to make this the most exceptional evening at the theatre. Not only will you get to enjoy the show from our most desired seats, with each ticket, you’ll also receive a gift bag that includes your choice of Prosecco or Frobisher Apple & Elderflower Sparkling Pressé, a champagne truffle box and a show programme – with a bag of crisps as an additional treat for those choosing the non-alcoholic option. All of this for the price of £62.50 per ticket.
VIP Prosecco Package (quantities per person)
Single Serve Vispo Allegro Prosecco – 200ml (10.5% Vol), Italy
Salcombe Dairy Truffle Box, containing 2 truffles
Romeo & Juliet Show Programme
VIP Package (quantities per person)
Frobisher Crisp Apple & Elderflower Sparkling Pressé – 250ml
Salcombe Dairy Truffle Box, containing 2 truffles
Burts Lightly Sea-Salted Hand-Cooked British Potato Chips – 40g
Romeo & Juliet Show Programme
To book this exclusive package, select two of our premium VIP Seats, then select the option of your choosing at check-out. You will also receive a printable certificate that can be shared as a gift, or you can collect your tickets from our Northcott box office at any time (Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm).
Both packages are nut free. Please contact us for any other allergen advice.
Northcott Theatre
This performance contains haze, flashing lights and a gunshot. Content guidance (may contain spoilers)