STUDENTS at Hereford Sixth Form College proved their professionalism last week, portraying a world of enforced peace in the time immediately following the suicides of young lovers Romeo and Juliet, in the hottest weather known to a generation.

However, the stifling temperatures inside the studio theatre were used to good effect; with Juliet's many cousins lying languidly around, berating the humidity and anticipating the thunder. If only!

After Juliet is a modern take on what happens to the adolescent Montagues and Capulets after Romeo and Juliet are dead. Written by Sharman MacDonald (mother of Keira Knightley) for the National's Connections series in 1999, it was scripted for this age range.

With no weapons to release their passions, their existence is suddenly aimless, and they are forced to explore their own ideas of peace and violence. Some adapt; others refuse, while new love blossoms. Can the two families live in peace or is further violence inevitable?

Shakespeare's language is not abandoned but brought forward and the result is a fluid piece of theatre.

These young actors performed tightly and impressively, proving - yet again - that age and experience are not the be all and end all in theatre. JH