Saturday Lunch, Talk and Film
Stuart Varnam-Atkin will present Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
followed by a screening of the famous movie version directed by Franco Zeffirelli
April 26, 2025
Doors open 11:30; Lunch 11:45; Talk 12:30-13:15.
DVD viewing (In English with Japanese subtitles / 138 minutes) 13:25-16:00
(Lunch set will be served during an intermission.)
“Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”
Shakespeare’s early romantic tragedy has appealed to young and old alike ever since it was written around 430 years ago. It has been the basis for countless stage versions, ballets, operas, musical settings, anime, manga and movies. Especially memorable is the 1968 film directed by the great Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, which has been widely acclaimed as one of the finest Shakespeare screen adaptations and has probably evoked more interest in Shakespeare’s works than any other. The actor Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare in Love) has said, “The film had a huge impact on me. That’s very much in my generation.” It’s a work gloriously choreographed, filmed and edited with Italian verve.
Besides the stunning settings and dynamic fight scenes, the film remains impressive for Zeffirelli’s bold decision to cast two teenagers to perform the ‘star-crossed lovers’. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey developed a great chemistry and perform with a splendid combination of youthful naivety and passion. The star cast includes Pat Heywood (Nurse), Michael York (Tybalt), John McEnery (Mercutio), Robert Stephens (Prince), and Milo O’Shea (Friar Laurence). A bonus is Laurence Olivier making uncredited appearances voicing the Prologue and Epilogue as well as dubbing the Italian actor playing Montague.
This is a chance to nostalgically revisit, or experience for the first time, the film that has been described as ‘maybe the start of global Shakespeare’ and enjoy the charms of the actresses Pat Heywood and Olivia Hussey, who both passed away in 2024.
“Never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
There is a cash bar and drink tickets are available at the Front Desk.
Ticket prices: 4,950 yen for members, 5,500 yen for guests (includes lunch and tax)
Please reserve by phone or email: 03-3211-3161 or front@fccj.or.jp.
Cancellations accepted until 6 p.m. on Tuesday April 22.
The Entertainment Committee
沙翁土曜午餐会(シェークスピアランチ会): 「ロミオとジュリエット」
4月26日 (土) 11時45分 から 16時00分 (DVD鑑賞138分)
開場 11:30; 昼休憩 (ランチ) 11:45; 解説講義 12:30-13:15 DVD鑑賞 (230分) 13:25-16:00
講師 スチュアート ヴァーナム–アトキン
今回はシェイクスピアファンにとって大変懐かしい「ロミオとジュリエット」、イタリア人監督フランコ・ゼフィレリによる1968年の有名な作品を上映します。
若く魅力的な俳優、レオナルド・ホワイティングとオリヴィア・ハッセー（2024年に逝去）主演。ローレンス・オリヴィエがナレーションとして出演。（クレジットなし）
会費 4,950円 (会員)、5,500円 (非会員)。(ランチ/税込み額)
お申し込みはフロント・デスクまで 電話 03-3211-3161 E-mail front@fccj.or.jp
4月22日 (火) 18:00以降のキャンセルはフル・チャージとなります。
エンターテイメント委員会