Romeo’s Dream – Hodson Finds Bliss in Bard’s World

Pete Evans’ production of Romeo and Juliet will be making its way to Tasmania this week.

Its description claims ‘This raw portrayal of Romeo & Juliet will envelop you in the passion, the intensity and the heartbreak of Shakespeare’s most evocative tragedy.’

I spoke to Romeo himself aka Ryan Hodson who Evans sees as a Romeo both ‘mischievous and innocent’. Madeline Li plays his Juliet.

I asked Hodson about how he chose the Bard life. Hodson said he studied acting in Queensland and eventually arrived in Sydney to audition for Bell Shakespeare, he began touring the plays in schools annually and in 2021 taught with the company, in 2023 he auditioned for the role of Romeo.

He thanked his high school for providing him with an immersion in Shakespeare, setting him up well for his present position. Similarly, in the Bell Shakespeare Company there are opportunities for the cast to wrestle with scenes and contribute to the realisation of what we see on stage. An investment in reading the script leads to continual discoveries.

A discovery about this production is its minimalist approach.

“Stripped back in its design to highlight characters, story and plot.”

Although it is seemingly set in the present, there are ‘essential set pieces’ that are reminders of its origin, such as ‘Elizabethan ruff, skirts and the Masquerade Ball.’

The story of Romeo and Juliet introduces us to the idea of conflict on a microcosmic level but teaches us what prejudice and lack of conversation and communication can lead to. In the play because of the feud between their families, Romeo and Juliet are unable to have these conversations or communication with their family, leading to subterfuge and miscommunication which eventually results in tragedy.

Hodson said Shakespeare was ‘a master of dramatic delivery’ and how as an actor you might start a scene in a different emotional state to how you ultimately end it.

I cheekily asked Hodson what happens if a glitch occurs in the production?

He generously answered, that in such a case, things move to auto pilot and hopefully the situation can be rectified, without being picked up. An example of an error might be a sword drop unintentionally.

Perhaps this might cause the audience to lean forward in their chairs but after all if it were a real sword fight it is quite likely a sword would drop to the ground at some point, pun not intended.

In closing remarks Hodson told me that next for him will be performing The Great Gatsby in Queensland. Most of all he is ‘happy working’ at Bell Shakespeare, that it is a ‘dream come true’ and of course part of that dream is being able to perform at ‘The Theatre Royal, Hobart, a beautiful place’.

Romeo and Juliet is playing at the following dates and venues

28 October Burnie Arts Centre
30 October – 01 November Theatre Royal Hobart
03 November Princess Theatre Launceston

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians. 

 New initiatives on the way include … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.