This new production of Romeo and Juliet has been put together for Bradford's first ever Youth Festival by theatre company ACT and South Asian Arts group Kala Sangam. It features aÌý cast of Asian and white actors with Mahjabeen Galaria (Mez) who is 25 and comes from Pudsey and James Stafford, a 17 year old drama student from Bradford, in the title roles. James and Mez, do you think a play written more than 400 years ago can still be relevant in 21st century Bradford? James: I think it is, especially nowadays. The production is white and Asian based and it's set off a bit of controversy but I think the younger generation will find it entertaining and it will get them interested in the play. Mez: I definitely agree with that. Although it is Shakespeare, it is one of those stories which is as old as time and is as relevant today. It's a love story at the end of the day and it's part of the human experience - everyone falls in love hopefully.
 | | Mahjabeen [Mez] Galaria and James Stafford |
It's set in contemporary Bradford which is a multi-cultural city. I think it's been a place where there have been times of contention and unrest. This has not necessarily been between the white and Asian communities but it's been quite disruptive and I think something like this deals with it on a more everyday internal level because you are looking at human emotion and then things do happen. The struggle between two people from different backgrounds to get together, no matter what that background is, can be quite a taxing ordeal for families to get through. James: I believe my co-star has had a few remarks about taking part. All my mates think it's a good idea that we are using white and Asian actors and hopefully it will come out well. Mez: The group you go to college with are amazingly diverse. I think it's just taking what we have in Bradford and putting it on the stage, almost like a mirror and saying this is what is going on in our city. Hopefully people, as well as being entertained, will ask themselves questions. Two people fall in love, it can happen and it does happen. James: Yes. Whether you are white, Asian or whatever it shouldn't be frowned upon. Mez: I guess being a young Asian girl I have had comments, 'Why are you doing this? Do you not think it's a bit risky. There are kissing scenes in it. How do you feel about doing that? What are your parents saying?' I think it's important to do this kind of thing. My family are happy for me to take part and I don't think I would do it without their support. But both actors want to stress that there is much more to this production than its background of cultural diversity: Mez: This is the great thing about this show - there are so many things going on. We've got Shakespeare's language and classical Indian dancing. Then there's Indian music with tabla players as well as two western musicians putting down bass and drums and the whole fusion between the two kinds of music. And we are really pulling Bradford into the play with big screens at the back of the stage using lots of high-tech stuff. James: The technology goes straight over my head. Mez: And we're keeping it Northern as well. We're keeping to the text but we're keeping it real! James: We're not just putting on that fake Shakespearean voiceÌý which everyone tends to do - very posh and regal. We're keeping it Bradford-based. Mez: Sometimes language can become a barrier to understanding not only with accents but with the acting as well. Hopefully it's going to be very naturalistic. What would our Romeo and Juliet like the audience to take away with them from the play? Mez: I'd like them to be wooed by the whole thing. I thing it's going to be quite a feast for the eyes. James: Apart from a good show and a lot of entertainment I'd like them to leave thinking love does exist. Mez: You softy! James: I'm a big softy really! Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers came to an untimely end but could this production be just the beginning for Mez and James? James: It's not very common for people from Bradford, I guess, to do drama but the people I know who do it put all their effort into it and this is a way to make something of themselves which I also think is the best way forward in acting, to put all your energy into it. I'm a future James Bond. A James Bond from Bradford! Mez: I'd like to work in the performance field but I'm not sure what form it's going to take. If opportunities come along then I'll take them. James: You can always be a Bond girl! Romeo and Juliet is at The Priestley in Bradford until July 15th 2006. For further details contact the Box Office on 01274 820666. | 
