We all read it in high school (some of us understanding it a bit less than others). But this Romeo and Juliet - which takes place in modern day and incorporates gender fluid casting in roles like Mercutio, Friar John, the Apothecary, and Prince Escalus – will engage even the struggling young Shakespearean scholar. Among the energetic performances by a diverse cast, Bally Gill and Karen Fishwick excel in the roles of Romeo and Juliet, bringing passion and heartbreak to the play’s age-old question: “What if your true love was someone you’d been told to hate?” Directed by Erica Whyman. The cast also includes Charlotte Josephine (Mercutio), Raphael Sowole (Tybalt), Afolabi Alli (Paris); Donna Banya (Gregory); Stevie Basaula (Sampson); Ishia Bennison (Nurse); Katy Brittain (Friar John/Apothecary); Raif Clarke (Peter); Beth Cordingly (Escalus); Paul Dodds (Montague); Josh Finan (Benvolio); Andrew French (Friar Laurence); Mariam Haque (Lady Capulet); Michael Hodgson (Capulet); John Macaulay (Cousin Capulet); Tom Padley (Balthasar); Sakuntala Ramanee (Lady Montague) and Nima Taleghani (Abraham).