`ROMEO AND JULIET': UNIVERSITY THEATRE DELIVERS WEATHERED LESSON WELL

Here's much to do with hate, but more with love.

Of literature's love stories, "Romeo and Juliet" may be popularly known as the greatest. Despite Romeo's declaration above, the 1594 play is built on a bedrock of hatred and explores a tragedy that comes from this condition.

William Shakespeare's lesson of star-crossed lovers, intolerant families and untimely death has endured centuries and is superbly staged this weekend and next at Forrest H. Rose Theatre on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

The culmination of the University Theatre's spring Shakespeare Festival, "Romeo and Juliet" is directed by Robert W. Dillon Jr. with a minimalist efficiency. To lift an appropriate line from "Henry IV, Part II," "The play's the thing." The set is scant and functional. The costuming seems rooted in no particular period; Romeo wears biker's gloves and black sneakers with pastel laces, which intrudes on the proceedings only if you give yourself time to think about it.

With 14th-century realism cast out, what remains is Shakespeare's timeless and well-known story of the Veronese houses of Montague and Capulet. Romeo and Juliet are members of these feuding clans, born to hate each other by blood; instead, they love each other on sight.

Fate brings these two together and cruel fate separates them just an hour after their secret marriage. After killing the hot-tempered Capulet named Tybalt, Romeo is banished from Verona, setting up a string of woeful events that leads to demise of the young lovers. Only then do members of the respective families make peace, realizing too late what their rancor has won them.

Romeo is played by Jay Cross, who handles well the melancholy romanticism, macho banter and fiery temper his difficult role requires. Abbie Crites is captivating as Juliet, alternately strung tightly with love and laid low by heartsickness.

Oddly, their scenes together, even the famous balcony scene, lack any real spark. It is only at the end of the play, in a tomb where one or the other is either dead or pseudo-dead, that the true measure of their passions is felt.

The scenes that really do connect involve the camaraderie of Romeo and his friends and the relationship between Juliet and her nurse. Two performances are noteworthy in this regard.

University Theatre veteran Jeff South takes over the stage as Romeo's hot-blooded pal Mercutio. South plays the role as part punk, part hero, never shying from the ribald tale, swordplay or "ropery." His performance is so good you hate to see Mercutio on the bad end of a saber before intermission.

Sharon Wickerham also shines as the nurse, full of idle chat and motherly love for Juliet. The scenes between these two are well-acted, and all the more poignant because we know good intentions will eventually lead to the young couple's ruin.

Dillon's directing specialty is fight scenes and the sword duels in "Romeo and Juliet" are handled expertly; you will find yourself squirming in your seat during this combat. Credit also fight director Doug Pecka and fight captain Greg Mebruer, both students, for these electrifying scenes.

The infrequent playgoer need not be intimidated by "seeing Shakespeare." Though some players speed through their verses, most are recited clearly and the story line is easy to follow. The play has such a vigorous pacing that you'll be surprised afterward to learn the running time was around three hours.

"Romeo and Juliet" is about the kind of love that makes you notice stars twinkling and birds singing. It is also about the kind of enmity that crushes all who encounter it. Shakespeare's lessons weather well and the University Theatre has brought them to us in good shape.