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Steve McQueen, Erica Whyman on Romeo and Juliet, Gender-swapped theatre

Steve McQueen on heist thriller Widows, and why are so many theatre productions switching the gender of roles?

Steve McQueen discusses his return to the big screen with Widows, an adaptation of the Lynda La Plante thriller. Set this time in Chicago, the widows must learn to survive after their husbands die in a botched heist leaving debts that need to be repaid in a city rife with professional crime and political corruption.

Romeo and Juliet is more relevant to our young people than ever according to the RSC deputy director Erica Whyman. She's directed a new production which involves local young people throughout the tour and swaps the gender of some key roles including Mercutio and Prince Escalus. She explains her approach to the text.

Many theatre productions in recent months have featured roles reimagined for a different gender, including Marianne Elliott's revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical Company at the Donmar Warehouse, Troilus and Cressida at the RSC and Theatr Clwyd's Lord of the Flies. Theatre critics Dominic Cavendish and Lyn Gardner discuss the merits and pitfalls of gender-swapping on stage.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Hannah Robins

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29 minutes

Steve McQueen

is released in the UK on 06 November 2018, certificate 15.

Erica Whyman on Romeo and Juliet

Erica Whyman on Romeo and Juliet

The is at the until 19 January 2019.听 Then it goes on a , starting听 in Norwich on 29 January 2019, and calling at Newcastle, Bradford, Nottingham, Blackpool, Cardiff, ending in on 23 March 2019.

Image: The RSC Romeo and Juliet company

Image credit: Topher McGrillis/RSC.

Roy Hargrove

Roy Hargrove

Roy Hargrove: 1969 - 2018.

Image:听Roy Hargrove playing at the Jazz Gallery,听the New York听venue he co-founded to give听 young jazz musicians a showcase

Image credit: Bigmetfan 2017

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  • Mon 5 Nov 2018 19:15

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