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Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s
for Key Stage 2
adapted by Chris Leach
Author’s notes:
This script was written to be performed as the end-of-year
assembly for Year 6 as the culmination of their Shakespeare Learning
Journey. The year group consisted of over 100 children and everyone
was involved in some way. Those children who did not play the main
characters were narrators, members of the chorus, technical crew or
musicians. The use of narrators meant that we were able to involve
more children in speaking roles. For smaller casts the narrators
could be divided up as appropriate. It would be possible to have just
one narrator although I think it would work better with more.
We used contemporary songs and changed the words slightly to
make them fit the story. I have included the songs we used in this
script as a suggestion only. I have also included scenery suggestions
based on what worked for us. The final production lasted about 40
minutes.
For costumes we had all the children dressed in black. Those on
the Montague side had a badge with the letter M and the Capulet side
a C. The main characters had their names written on the backs of
their costumes in metallic pen. Characters such as the nanny and
friar had other accessories to help identify them
I hope that you enjoy using this script and would love to hear
from any schools who successfully perform Romeo and Juliet.
Chris Leach
chris.leach@winchester-house.org
copyright © Chris Leach 2008
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Cast
Narrators
Lord Capulet (Juliet’s Father)
Lady Capulet (Juliet’s Mother)
Sampson
(A Capulet)
Gregory (A Capulet)
Prince Paris
Mercutio
(Romeo’s Best Friend)
Romeo Montague
Rosaline Capulet (Juliet’s Cousin)
Juliet Capulet
Tybalt Capulet (Juliet’s Cousin)
Nanny
Friar
Lord Montague
Lady Montague
(Romeo’s Father)
(Romeo’s Mother)
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Scene One
We had nine stage blocks arranged into a square. The
children sat on benches at either side of the blocks and the
narrators sat along the front. We had backdrops on poles
behind the stage to help set the scene.
The City of Verona
First two narrators stand centre stage.
Narrator 1 :
Welcome to fair Verona, where our
story starts.
A tale of warring families and of broken
hearts.
Narrator 2 :
Now that you are comfortable and the
scene is set.
Let us introduce you to Lord and Lady
Capulet.
Narrators step aside to reveal Lord and Lady Capulet. Lord
Capulet is carrying a bundle of invitations.
Lady C:
Have you finished the invitations?
Lord C:
They are all ready to be delivered my
dear.
Lady C:
You haven’t invited any Montagues
have you?
Lord C:
Of course not! Anyway no Montague
would dare come to a party held at the
house of Capulet. You know how much
they hate our family.
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Lady C:
And we hate them just as much.
Lord C:
(Calling off stage) Sampson, Gregory!
Sampson and Gregory enter and join Lord and Lady
Capulet
Sampson:
Yes m’lord?
Lord C:
You are to deliver these invitations by
hand. Make sure they are all delivered
promptly.
Gregory:
Yes m’lord?
Lord C hands the invitations to Sampson before exiting
with Lady C. Sampson and Gregory move to the back of
the stage as the Narrators stand. In the background the
two servants hand invites to a passing couple. Two
Montagues enter, followed by Mercutio and Romeo.
Narrator 3:
As Capulet’s two servants delivered the
invites.
Narrator 4:
They met some Montagues who
challenged them to fight.
More Capulets and Montagues enter from either side.
Music for fight scene – “I Predict a Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs
During the fight scene a couple of the invites are dropped to
the floor. At the end of the fight Prince Paris appears centre
stage.
Paris:
Stop! Put down your swords. I am
Paris, Prince of Verona and I will have
no fighting on my streets. Be gone.
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The servants exit either side, followed by Paris. Mercutio
and Romeo are last to leave, but as they go Mercutio
notices the invites that Sampson dropped on the floor.
Mercutio:
Hey look, Romeo. Have you seen what
those Capulets were delivering?
Romeo:
(Snatching the invite) Lord and Lady
Capulet are pleased to invite you to the
grand birthday party for their beloved
niece, Rosaline. Ah, sweet Rosaline.
Mercutio:
Don’t start that again – she is a
Capulet and you are a Montague.
Romeo:
But Mercutio, she is no ordinary
Capulet, she is my Rosaline. Are you
thinking what I’m thinking?
Mercutio:
That we should find those Capulets
and give them a good kicking?
Romeo:
No, that we should go to the party.
Mercutio:
Are you mad? As soon as we step
inside the house of Capulet we’ll be
recognised and we’ll feel their swords.
Romeo:
But they won’t know it’s us.
Mercutio:
I know they’re Capulets, but they’re not
that stupid.
Romeo:
No silly, look (shows Mercutio the
invite).
Mercutio:
(Really bad pronunciation) Respondez
s’il vous plait?
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Romeo:
No, it’s a masked ball. They’ll never
know it’s us. Come on we’ve got masks
to make.
Romeo dashes off. Mercutio shakes his head then trudges
after Romeo. The narrators stand.
Scene 2
The House of Capulet
Narrator 5:
Two days later and the party’s
underway.
Narrator 6:
The guests have arrived and the band
begins to play.
Dance sequence – “Let’s Get The Party Started” by Pink
After a while the dancers move to the back of the stage.
Lord C, Lady C, Paris, Rosaline and Juliet move forwards.
Tybalt is stood at the side of the stage, guarding the
entrance.
Lady C:
Ah, Prince Paris. So glad you could
come.
Paris:
Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Lord C:
Let me introduce you to Rosaline, my
favourite niece.
Paris:
Many happy returns. (He bows and
kisses her hand)
Lord C:
And this is my favourite daughter.
Juliet:
Your only daughter.
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Lord C:
My fair Juliet.
Paris:
I see beauty runs in the family. (He
kisses her hand) Would you care to
dance?
Juliet:
It’s Rosaline’s party. Shouldn’t she be
the one to dance?
Lady C:
(Pushing Juliet forwards) Dear girl,
don’t be so rude.
Paris leads Juliet off to dance. Rosaline sulks and storms
off
Lady C:
Come dear, let’s mingle.
Lady and Lord C exit through the dancers to the rear.
Mercutio and Romeo enter, waving their invites at Tybalt
on the way past.
Romeo:
Ha ha Mercutio we’re in.
Mercutio:
(Looking around panicked) Ssh don’t
call me that here.
Romeo:
I told you that fool Tybalt wouldn’t
recognise us. Now let’s find Rosaline.
Romeo heads off through the crowd. Mercutio heads the
opposite way.
Mercutio:
Well I’m going to find the buffet.
Dance sequence. Romeo tries to find Rosaline and comes
downstage. Juliet is trying to get away from Paris and
bumps into Romeo.
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Juliet:
Oh excuse me… (she pauses staring at
Romeo.)
Romeo and Juliet stare at each other for a few seconds
until Paris arrives and takes Juliet’s arm and leads her
back to the dance floor. She looks back at Romeo as she
goes. Mercutio enters.
Mercutio:
Have you found her yet?
Romeo:
(Still staring after Juliet) Who?
Mercutio:
Rosaline.
Romeo:
Rosaline who?
Mercutio:
Oh I give up. (exits)
Romeo absentmindedly raises his mask to see Juliet
better. Tybalt, who is talking to Lord Capulet at the side of
the stage notices him.
Tybalt:
Uncle, he is a Montague!
Lord C:
Are you sure?
Tybalt:
That is Romeo, Lord Montague’s only
son. Let me see him off with my sword.
Lord C:
No! There will be no fighting tonight.
We must make him welcome, no matter
how much we hate him.
Romeo heads off into the crowd to search for Juliet. Lord C
also heads into the crowd. Tybalt turns to watch the door.
The dancers continue. After a while Romeo comes
downstage frustrated because he hasn’t found Juliet. A
moment later Lord C and Paris come downstage in
conversation followed by an annoyed Juliet. Lord C and
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Paris stand centre stage with Romeo and Juliet either side.
They look across at each other. After a while Lord C and
Paris turn and head back to the party Romeo and Juliet
begin to walk towards each other when Mercutio runs on
and stands between them.
Mercutio:
I’m sure Tybalt is onto us. He keeps
given me the evil eye. (Realises Romeo
isn’t listening or looking at him, waves
his hand in front of him – no response.
He turns, notices Juliet staring back at
Romeo. Mercutio sighs.) Juliet, this is
Romeo. Romeo meet Juliet (He leans
towards him) A Capulet!
Mercutio sighs again, turns and heads back. Romeo and
Juliet step closer and he takes her hands in his.
Romeo:
Juliet.
Juliet:
Romeo.
Hand in hand they turn and head to the back of the stage.
Tybalt watches them go angrily.
Narrator 7:
So Romeo wooed Juliet and their love
was born.
Narrator 8:
They danced all night long until the
break of dawn.
Dance sequence – “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
Most of the guests have now left the stage. Romeo and
Juliet come downstage
Juliet:
Romeo, when will I see you again?
Romeo:
Tomorrow, then the day after that, and
the day after that, and the…
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Juliet laughs. Suddenly Mercutio runs across stage and
grabs Romeo’s arm.
Mercutio:
Sorry Jules, but we really gotta go.
Romeo:
Why Mercutio?
Mercutio points to the side of the stage where an angry
Tybalt appears brandishing his sword.
Mercutio:
(Dragging Romeo away) Come on let’s
go.
Romeo:
Til tomorrow (He blows Juliet a kiss
and they hurry off stage.)
Tybalt rushes across stage after Mercutio and Romeo.
Juliet stands alone on stage. Her Nanny arrives.
Nanny
There you are. Come on child, time for
bed.
Juliet:
Oh Nanny, did you see him?
Nanny:
Oh yes, that Paris is quite a hunk,
you’re a lucky girl. If only I was a few
years younger then you would have to
fight me for him.
Juliet:
(Laughing) No Nanny, not Paris, Romeo.
Nanny:
Romeo?
Juliet:
Yes Romeo, he’s gorgeous.
Nanny:
But he’s a Montague.
Juliet:
A Montague?
Nanny:
Yes. Your father will never approve.
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Juliet:
You won’t tell him will you?
Nanny:
Of course not, now come on you. It’s
way past your bedtime.
Nanny leads Juliet offstage. Children in black come on
stage to form the railings to the Capulet’s garden.
Scene 3
The Capulet’s Garden
Mercutio and Romeo run onstage out of breath. Mercutio
turns and pulls faces off stage.
Mercutio:
us.
Ha, too slow Tybalt, you’ll never catch
Romeo looks through the railings
Romeo:
I must see her again.
Mercutio:
Well you can later. Come on I’m
shattered. I’ve never danced so much.
My feet are killing me.
While Mercutio isn’t looking Romeo slips between the
railings into the garden. Mercutio turns and is startled to
realise Romeo is on the other side of the railings
Mercutio:
Are you mad. They’ll kill you.
Romeo:
Sssh, if you stop shouting they’ll never
know I’m here. (He rushes to the back of
stage by the balcony).
Mercutio:
I give up. (He turns, notices Tybalt
coming and runs off)
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The railings move offstage to leave Romeo at the foot of the
balcony. He begins to climb when Juliet appears on the
balcony. He ducks down.
Juliet:
Romeo, oh Romeo. Where are you
Romeo?
Romeo goes to climb up but stops when Nanny appears.
Nanny:
Probably tucked up in bed where you
should be. Come on you.
Juliet:
Just give me five more minutes.
Nanny sighs and exits. Romeo climbs the balcony suprising
Juliet.
Juliet:
Oh Romeo you frightened me.
Romeo:
Forgive me. I had to see you again.
Juliet:
But if you get caught they’ll kill you.
You’re a Montague and I’m a Capulet.
My father will never allow it.
Romeo:
Then we won’t tell them. Let’s get
married and then they won’t be able to
stop us
Juliet:
Married?
Romeo:
Yes, maybe that will bring our families
together.
Nanny:
(From offstage) Juliet!
Juliet:
Coming. I must go.
Romeo:
Marry me?
Juliet:
Oh gentle Romeo. Of course.
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Romeo:
Good night sweet Juliet.
He kisses her hand then climbs down the balcony. Juliet
waves him goodbye and exits.
Narrator 9:
As dawn broke, and Juliet finally got to
bed.
Narrator 10:
Romeo rushed to see the Friar, to
arrange to be wed.
Scene 4
The Friar’s Lodgings
Friar enters. Romeo rushes onstage.
Romeo:
Friar Lawrence, will you marry me?
Friar:
I’m a bit old for you Romeo.
Romeo:
No, will you marry me to a girl.
Friar:
Rosaline?
Romeo:
Rosaline? I had forgotten that name.
No, to Juliet.
Friar:
Juliet, but she’s a Capulet.
Romeo:
That is just a name. Our love is
stronger than that.
Friar:
I can tell. Return with your sweetheart
later this morning and I will marry you.
Romeo:
Oh thank you Friar.
Romeo hugs the Friar and rushes offstage. Friar follows.
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Scene 5
The Church. We used a dyed bed sheet and lit it from
behind to create a stained glass window
Narrator 11:
So later that morning the Friar was
risking his life.
Narrator 12:
When he announced that they were
now husband and wife.
Wedding sequence
Friar:
Now you two must part until I break
the news to your families.
Romeo and Juliet kiss and then exit on opposite sides. The
Friar exits at the back.
Scene 6
The Streets of Verona
Mercutio enters from one side and Tybalt from the other.
Tybalt:
Ah Mercutio. Are you going to run
again or will you stand and fight.
Mercutio:
Why should I fight you?
Tybalt:
Because of that Montague. (Romeo
enters) Speak of the devil.
Romeo:
Montague is not the only name that is
important to me. Capulet means as
much. We are now family Tybalt.
Mercutio turns to Romeo
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Mercutio:
You mean you and Juliet are…
As Mercutio turns to Romeo Tybalt lunges at Mercutio with
his sword. Short fight sequence during which Romeo tries
to stop. After a while Tybalt stabs Mercutio who falls down
dead. Tybalt then turns to Romeo who draws his sword
and lunges forward killing Tybalt. Romeo drops to his
knees and cradles Mercutio.
Romeo:
Oh Mercutio. What have I done.
Paris enters and sees Romeo with the bodies
Paris:
See what your families’ feud has done.
Be gone from this city before anymore
blood is shed. Go now.
Romeo trudges offstage. Paris beckons servants on to
remove the bodies of Tybalt and Mercutio.
Scene 7
Juliet’s Bedroom
Juliet enters and lies down. Nanny sits beside her.
Juliet:
Oh what will I do, my cousin Tybalt is
dead and Romeo has been sent away.
There is a knocking by the balcony. Nanny goes to
investigate. She returns to Juliet.
Nanny:
There’s someone to see you.
Juliet:
I don’t want to see anyone.
Romeo enters.
Romeo:
Juliet?
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Juliet:
Romeo. I thought you had been sent
away.
Romeo:
I must leave straight away. I just had to
say goodbye. We will be together again.
(He kisses her hand and exits).
Juliet:
Oh Romeo (She sobs)
Nanny:
Maybe the Friar will be able to get a
pardon for Romeo when he explains the
wedding.
Lord and Lady C enter, overhearing the end of Nanny’s line
Lord C:
Nanny, have you told her about the
wedding already?
Juliet:
Wedding, what wedding?
Lady C:
Oh my dear. Prince Paris has asked
your father for your hand in marriage.
Lord C:
And of course I said yes.
Lady C:
We thought the news might cheer you
up.
Juliet just sobs against Nanny’s shoulder. Lord and Lady
C look at each other confused then exit.
Juliet:
Oh what will I do Nanny? I can’t marry
Paris. I’m already married to Romeo.
Nanny:
Go and see the Friar, he may be able to
help.
Narrator 13:
So she went to see the Friar and they
hatched a desperate plan.
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Narrator 14:
So that Juliet would not have to marry
the wrong man.
During the above Nanny and Juliet exit.
Scene 8
The Friar’s Lodgings
Friar enters. Juliet re-enters.
Friar:
Take this potion, it will make you sleep
for 42 hours. Your family will think you
are dead.
Juliet:
But what about Romeo?
Friar:
I will send a message to him telling him
about our plan. Now go and leave the
rest to me.
Juliet exits with the potion. Friar exits to write a letter to
Romeo.
Scene 9
Juliet’s Bedroom
Narrator 15:
So later that night before Juliet went to
bed.
Narrator 16:
She took a sip of potion and soon
appeared to be dead.
Juliet lays down, takes a sip of potion and lies back. A
cockerel crows to show it is morning and Nanny hurries in.
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Nanny:
Oh Lady, wakey wakey. Come on bride.
Lady! Lady? (She begins to think that
Juliet is dead.) Help! My lady’s dead!
Help.
Lord and Lady C rush in and kneel by the bed.
Narrator 17:
And so with everyone thinking she was
dead.
Narrator 18:
There was not a wedding but a funeral
instead.
The duvet and pillows are removed.
Scene 10
The Church
The Capulets walk past and place flowers beside Juliet.
Finally her parents and then Paris walk past. Paris waits
by the side of the stage.
Narrator 19:
While Juliet lay still, the Friar’s letter
went astray.
Narrator 20:
Instead, Romeo was told she’d died the
previous day.
Narrator 21:
So Romeo took some poison and visited
the tomb.
Narrator 22:
Unaware that Paris was waiting in the
next room.
Romeo enters carrying poison and a knife. Hearing him
Paris enters.
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Paris:
How dare you come here. You are
banished from this city. I will call the
police.
Romeo lunges forward. Short fight before Paris is killed.
Romeo then goes to see Juliet. He drops to his knees and
kisses her before drinking a sip of the poison. He lies down
next to her. The Friar enters, nearly tripping over Paris. He
sees Romeo and rushes to him.
Friar:
Romeo, did you not read my letter?
Romeo? Romeo?
As the Friar tries to revive Romeo Juliet wakes.
Juliet:
Romeo?
Friar:
I am so sorry Juliet but he is dead.
Lord and Lady C enter and see Paris. The Friar then exits.
Juliet looks down at Romeo.
Juliet:
Oh Romeo. I can’t live without you.
Juliet takes Romeo’s dagger and stabs herself with it. She
slumps down dead. Lord and Lady C and Lord and Lady
M enter. They look down at Romeo and Juliet.
Lord M:
See what our silly feud has done.
Lord C:
We must forget our arguments. I will
raise a Golden statue to your son.
Lord M:
And I will raise a golden statue to
honour Juliet.
They shake hands. Lady C and Lady M embrace
Narrator 23:
And so as our tale reaches its tragic
end
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Narrator 24:
The two families agree never to fight
again.
Narrator 25:
Thank you all for coming, but we
haven’t finished yet.
Narrator 26:
Please put your hands together for the
cast of Romeo and Juliet.
Walk down and applause.
After the audience applause we decided to lighten the
mood
Narrator 1:
Romeo and Juliet is probably one of
Shakespeare’s most famous plays and
is a great example of a Shakespearian
tragedy.
Finale song – “Tragedy” by Steps.
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