THE Castle Players – Teesdale’s well-known community theatre company – are gearing up for their eagerly-awaited annual outdoor Shakespeare event in the grounds of The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.

Romeo and Juliet opens runs from Tuesday, July 8, until Saturday, July 12, and director Jill Cole has set the production in 1964, with mods and rockers replacing the street fighting Capulets and Montagues of Shakespeare’s original.

“It’s exactly 50 years since the young mods and rockers invaded the seaside resorts on the south coast of England," she said. “The rioting between the two sides mirrors the street fights in Shakespeare’s original play, where the Montagues ridiculed the new-fangled fashions of the Capulets.

"Shakespeare was actually referring to the new Italian method of fencing compared with old traditional English broadsword fighting, but if you replace those concepts with mopeds versus motorbikes, or black leathers and jeans versus suits and ties, the reasons for the rivalry between the two sides is comparable.”

In true Castle Players style, the event offers audiences a fully immersive experience on arrival at the venue – complete with traditional pier, beach huts, Lambrettas, motorbikes and fish and chips on sale, the full "seaside experience" will bring a new slant to this timeless tale of tragic young love.

Ms Cole is excited about the possibilities of transforming the grounds of the museum and bringing Shakespeare to life for audiences of all ages.

“We’ve got music from the time to help the action along”, she said. “An amazing amount of music was released that year which reflects the themes in the play – including Juliet by the Four Pennies and Just Like Romeo & Juliet by The Reflections. I think it just goes to show that what Shakespeare was writing about was just as relevant in the 1960s as it was in the 1660s – and 50 years on again, how relevant it is today."

There is one aspect of the play which will remain untouched. “As far as Shakespeare’s language goes, that is sacrosanct,” she added.

“We’ve cut some of the longer speeches, but the poetry remains, and hopefully the way our talented cast interprets Shakespeare’s text will bring the meaning alive for everyone – even those for whom Shakespeare seems like a foreign language.”

The Castle Players are also delighted to be part of the RSC Open Stages Project. This is the second time they have been successful receiving training, director mentoring, feedback and support from the RSC and partner theatres. The project is part of the RSC's commitment to transforming the relationship between amateur and professional theatres.

Tom Hogan, from Contact Theatre in Manchester – RSC Open Stages partner venue for The Castle Players, visited a rehearsal and worked with Jill Cole on a number of scenes, sharing his experience and ideas with the group and praising them for their creativity and professionalism.

Tickets for Romeo and Juliet are on sale from the Bowes Museum and Darlington Building Society in Barnard Castle, from the Castle Players’ website castleplayers.co.uk or by calling 08000-747080. Prices range from £5-£20. The play takes place outdoors and audiences are advised to dress for the weather. Covered raked seating is available, as well as some uncovered seating and groundmats closer to the action.

The play starts at 7.30pm but the grounds are open all day, and an extended 45-minute interval allows time to picnic.