Watch the streets of Guildford transform into Verona as one of the greatest love stories takes to its cobbles. 

To celebrate its 18th birthday, the Guildford Shakespeare Company has staged its most ambitious open-air performance yet – Romeo and Juliet, directed by GSC co-founder Matt Pinches. 

Starting at the steps of Holy Trinity Church, we were guided on a promenade through some of Guildford’s most iconic sites, from the Guildhall balcony to Abbot’s Hospital, and Tunsgate Quarter, before ending in the Castle Gardens.

I truly felt like part of the story – joining in as the actors danced at Capulet’s party and then feeling like a complicit observer to Tybalt’s death as ‘police’ cleared the crime scene, complete with evidence bag. 

In the castle grounds, we watched the sun set on both Romeo and Juliet’s love, and the performance itself – a truly beautiful bit of direction. 

April Hughes stunned in her role as Juliet, sweeping me along as she falls for Romeo (Christian James). 

The pair play the giddy first love very well and I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched them perform the balcony scene. Daniel Burke stole the scene as Mercutio. His jokes, dancing, and one-liners had the audience in the palm of his hand.

Chris Porter played a charismatic Lord Capulet and David Carr’s Friar Lawrence was the voice of reason. Luke Latchman played a superb Benvolio and Paris, with Emma Manton playing both funny and serious parts as the Nurse and Prince respectively. Laura Matthews played both Lady Capulet and Tybalt. 

I can find no fault with the show. Every performance, prop, and all those behind the scenes have come together to create something truly spectacular, with Guildford becoming the true star of the show. 

This is one not to be missed – after all, 'parting is such sweet sorrow.'