A CONTROVERSIAL production of one of Shakespeare's most loved creations is set to come to Hereford on Tuesday and may leave some traditionalists enraged.

The Volcano Theatre Company has dismantled and rebuilt Romeo and Juliet as it felt it "was so timeworn and clichd that it had become virtually impossible to perform".

But the company decided to avoid the usual solution of making the feud between the lovers' families contemporary and has instead created four characters that compete for the chance to sacrifice themselves for what they really believe.

Co-director Paul Davies said: "Even in the more recent adaptations of the play the love between Romeo and Juliet remains untouchable. This seems a little too easy for us!"

Volcano has re-examined the script and dispensed with much of the text and feuding content. Scenes have been rearranged and redistributed to make the story into a bizarre context of beliefs and ideals that "strives to make the production energetic, stylish and politically charged".

The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is at The Courtyard, Hereford, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, November 8. Tickets start at £8.50.

PORCHA TREANOR