Patrick Driver and Suzanna Hamilton will appear in A Tender Thing, Ben Power’s play about Romeo and Juliet in their later years, which is to be presented at The Theatre Chipping Norton.
Power's two-hander uses the original text but does not restrict Romeo and Juliet to the lines Shakespeare gave them.
Producer Will Treasure said, “Ben Power has created a very powerful piece that looks at the life of Romeo and Juliet as if they had survived and enjoyed later life together.
“We as an audience join the star-crossed lovers after a very long, happy life together and witness a deeply romantic story of loyalty, loss and enduring love.
“Our unique venue lends itself perfectly to the story of these two lovers and will ensure a production steeped in atmosphere and intimacy.”
Former Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Michael Boyd asked Power to adapt Romeo and Juliet, with the RSC presenting it at Northern Stage, Newcastle in 2009 and in the Swan Theatre, Stratford in 2012.
Suzanna Hamilton played Julia in the film version of 1984 opposite John Hurt. On television, she has appeared in Casualty, Silent Witness and Jonathan Creek.
Patrick Driver has been a regular at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, appearing in Measure for Measure, Helen Edmundson’s The Heresy of Love, As You Like It, Julius Caesar and The Taming of The Shrew. On television, he has been seen in Call the Midwife, EastEnders and Silent Witness.
Director is John Terry and designer is Alex Berry. Alexandra Stafford is lighting designer and movement director is Helen Carpenter.
A Tender Thing runs at The Theatre Chipping Norton from Thursday 3 until Saturday 12 May.