A young actress whose interest in theatre was sparked at The Dukes in Lancaster returns there as Juliet in Shakespeare’s most famous romantic play.
Daisy Whalley was last seen on the stage in 2012 when she appeared in The Unsociables and now she’s on tour in her second professional role at just 21.
Daisy is delighted that the tour will see her returning to her hometown.
Daisy was first taken to a show at The Dukes when she was three, just the day after the family had moved to Lancaster. She then saw all the Christmas and park shows before joining The Dukes youth theatre in 2006.
While at The Dukes, Daisy appeared in several youth productions and had her first taste of the London stage when she was in a group which performed at The National Theatre as part of the NT Connections programme.
For her role as Juliet, Daisy has had to think back to her teenage years growing up in Lancaster.
“The director wanted to really emphasise the youthful nature of the play and what it’s like to be a teenager when you’re experiencing so much for the first time,” said Daisy.
It was while a teenager at Lancaster Girls Grammar School that she first appeared in a production of Romeo and Juliet, as Lady Capulet.
By contrast, this latest version of Romeo and Juliet, by the acclaimed Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory & Tobacco Factory Theatres, is set in the 60s and explores the changing attitudes of a generation who had lived through World War Two and their children growing up in a more affluent society.
Romeo and Juliet will be performed from May 19-23 with additional matinées on May 20 & 23 plus a morning performance on May 22.