Stars reveal what drew them to new gay Shakespeare adaptation ‘Romeo and Jude’
By Will Stroude
Sponsored
The stars of new gay Shakespeare adaptation Romeo and Jude have revealed what attracted them to the story in a trailer for the gritty new Amazon Audible drama.
Out today (February 11), and available for free as part of Amazon Audible’s special free trial offer for Attitude readers, Romeo and Jude sees Game of Thrones’ Owen Teale as Ray, the modern-day star of an ambitious amateur dramatics company, whose life begins to reflect art as the company works on its first professionally-directed production under the leadership of maverick new director Miranda Merritt (Frances Jeater).
Cast as Romeo, Ray throws himself into the play, whilst also attempting to keep his business afloat by networking with local business man, Charlie Carlin (Nick Moran, Lock, Stock and Two Smokin’ Barrels). But when Charlie’s son disillusioned son Jude (Matthew Tennyson) is cast as Juliet, a passionate and dangerous behind-the-scenes love affair begins to develop between the two male leads.
Forced to flee from Jude’s homophobic father Charlie, a whirlwind chase steeped in violence, fear, love, death and despair draws in the couple, their families, and the cast of the play.
In the trailer, Nick Moran says the Marty Ross-written drama is about “contemporising Romeo and Juliet, but using the forbidden love of a gay relationship where there’s an age difference, and then taking all of those aspects that know on from that to compound this forbidden love.
“But it doesn’t lose its romance, even though it’s been contemporised. Some might think it’s salacious, but it’s still a touching human story.”
Rising British star Matthew Tennyson says of his character: “Jude is unapologetic for who he is: It’s an interesting mix between the vulnerable and also knowing who he is. But as the story goes on he discovers things about himself as he falls deeper and deeper in love.”
Owen Teale praised the universal nature of the story “Matthew and I have been recording scenes which were about our own private world: falling in love and running away, both people feeling the same; that their lives were going to change forever.
“[It’s] very sensitive, funny, and a [there’s lightness of touch in the writing from Marty right through, which has been wonderful.”
Romeo and Jude is available to download now as part of Amazon Audible’s exclusive free trial for Attitude readers.
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