Grappling with the subtleties of Shakespeare鈥檚 poetry and prose has proved a challenge for many a theater company, but a novel linguistic challenge has been added into the mix in a new production of Romeo and Juliet.
A Welsh-English bilingual version of the tragedy, called Romeo a Juliet, is about to tour, ending at Shakespeare鈥檚 Globe in London鈥攂elieved to be the first time Cymraeg (the Welsh language) will have been heard at the venue.
Aptly, the feuding families at the center of the drama are divided in this retelling by language, with the Capulets speaking English and the Montagues Cymraeg. It means the way the lovers communicate and grow to understand each other is all the more charged.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so special to see a bilingual show celebrating this beautiful Celtic language. I hope everybody finds something to enjoy in it,鈥 said Isabella Browne, who plays Juliet.
Steffan Donnelly, the director, said the production marks a significant milestone for the Welsh language, coming at a time when there is an increased interest in Welsh-English bilingual productions.
鈥淚 think at the moment in the U.K. we鈥檙e figuring out who we are as the world is crumbling all around us,鈥 Donnelly said. 鈥淟ooking at an Indigenous language like Welsh is a portal to allow people to unpick a bit more about where we are as a nation. If we want the Welsh language to survive, we have to welcome people to the language.鈥
The Guardian (9/25/25) By Steven Morris