Saturday, December 8, 2018
Shakespeare Adaptations Throughout the 20th Century
As a person whose been involved in theater for a while now, I can't help but admire adaptations of Shakespeare plays that have both retained the charms of the original play and created its own. Romeo and Juliet is arguably the most famous play from Shakespeare, so naturally it has seen countless adaptations throughout the years. "West Side Story", first premiered in 1957, is an excellent example of a "modern spin" on Shakespeare that maintains the essence of the original play. Who said Romeo and Juliet can't involve racial tension, gang violence, and great musical numbers? Another more recent example is probably one of my favorite movies of all time, "Romeo + Juliet (1996)" - and no, it's not because Leonardo de Caprio plays Romeo. The color scheme of every frame is eccentric and captivating, making the passion, violence, and heartbreak all the more extravagant. 
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Annabeth, as I agree with your sentiment that west side story is both a great work of theater and a classic spin off of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, I have to say that I think you’re forgetting and even more significant one.
Gnomeo and Juliet.
This classic tragedy takes place in two random people’s backyards. The neighboring gardens of Montague and Capulet are at war, but the gnomes, Gnomeo and Juliet, are in love. They battle for their love just as the Shakespearean Romeo Juliet did, except their store didn’t end in death, as it is a children’s movie. In conclusion, I think this is by far the most superior adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
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