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Shakespeare’s
Romeo & Juliet
One Act
A Young Actor’s Comedic Tragedy
Adapted by Emily Budd

Characters:
Shakespeare Juliet
Narrator Nurse
Queen of Verona / Bouncer Tybalt
Friar Lawrence: Montague
Paris/ Actor 1 Lady Montague/ Actor 7&4
Capulet/ Actor 2/& 3 Romeo
Lady Capulet/ Actor 8& 5 Benvolio/ Actor 6
Mercutio

PREFACE: Shakespeare’s lines use a few famous quotes, some are from Shakespeare’s works and
others are not: *1 (W. Shakespeare As You Like It)
*2 (Acting practitioner: Stanislavski)
*3 (W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night)
*4 (W. Shakespeare Hamlet)

SHAKESPEARE:
Hello, I’m William Shakespeare, your playwright. You, my friends, are merely
actors.
ACTOR 1:
Is this where we are going to perform?
SHAKESPEARE:
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,*1
ACTOR 2:
I hope I get a big part.
SHAKESPEARE:
There are no small parts, only small actors.*2
ACTOR 2:
oh.
SHAKESPEARE:
Actors, here are your roles!
ACTOR 3:
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But it only has my part.

SHAKESPEARE:
That’s all you need!
ACTOR 4:
When do we have to have it memorized?
SHAKESPEARE:
Now! Memorize!
(impatiently snapping)
Memorize! ……
(impatiently tapping foot)
Ready?
ACTOR 5:
Ok… not sure we had enough time…
SHAKESPEARE:
Brevity is the soul of wit.*4
ACTOR 6:
I don’t know if I will be any good…

SHAKESPEARE:
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust
upon them.*3
NARRATOR:
M, Lords and Ladies, Welcome to Verona, where the Montagues and the Capulets
have been feuding for years because of an ancient grudge.
MONTAGUE:
Well, look who it is! Thou villain Capulet!
CAPULET:
What noise is this? No need to call names!
LADY MONTAGUE:
Try to behave yourself, dear.
MONTAGUE:
Hold me not!
LADY MONTAGUE:
Turn thee away, let’s not fight.
LADY CAPULET:
Ugh, and it was such a beautiful day
CAPULET:
My sword, bring me my sword!
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LADY CAPULET:
What? Don’t you mean a crutch, old man?
(laughing)
CAPULET:
How dare you! I am not too old to fight!
LADY CAPULET:
Whatever you say dear…
TYBALT:
Down with the Montagues!
MONTAGUE:
Down with the Capulets!
SHAKESPEARE:
Boooo! -Fie upon you, thou artless,rank,-horn-beasts!
ACTOR 7:
He’s very scary…
ACTOR 8:
…and kind of mean
SHAKESPEARE:
I must be cruel, only to be kind. Again! With feeling!
MONTAGUE:
Well, look who it is! Thou villain Capulet!
CAPULET:
What noise is this? No need to call names!
LADY MONTAGUE:
Try to behave yourself, dear.
MONTAGUE:
Hold me not!
LADY MONTAGUE:
Turn thee away, let’s not fight.
LADY CAPULET:
Ugh, and it was such a beautiful day
CAPULET:
My sword, bring me my sword!
LADY CAPULET:
What? Don’t you mean a crutch, old man?
(laughing)
CAPULET:
How dare you! I am not too old to fight!
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LADY CAPULET:
Whatever you say dear…
TYBALT:
Down with the Montagues!
MONTAGUE:
Down with the Capulets!
TYBALT:
Benvolio, bring it thou, coward!
BENVOLIO:
I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword
TYBALT:
Turn thee Benvolio! Look upon thy death!
BENVOLIO:
Part fools, put up your swords!
QUEEN OF VERONA:
Rebellious subjects, enemies of peace; Throw your weapons to the ground.
Thrice you have disturbed our streets and it is the last! If your swords are
drawn again you will be banished!
LADY MONTAGUE:
Dear Benvolio, where is Romeo? Saw you him today?
BENVOLIO:
Yes he’s around
LADY MONTAGUE:
..with tears still in his eyes?
BENVOLIO:
I don’t know about that.
LADY MONTAGUE:
Do learn from whence his sorrows grow.

BENVOLIO:
Alright.
NARRATOR:
So Benvolio went to have a chat with her cousin…
BENVOLIO:
Good ‘morrow cousin.
ROMEO:
Is the day so young?
BENVOLIO:
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What sadness lengthens the hours? In love?

ROMEO:
Out.
BENVOLIO:
Of love?
ROMEO:
Yeah, she broke my heart.
BENVOLIO:
You need her not, man
ROMEO:
ugh.. teach me to forget.
NARRATOR:
Meanwhile, Paris, a young man is in love with Juliet, speaks to the Capulets
about marrying her.
PARIS:
My name is Paris, I’m in love with Juliet. I would like to speak to the
Capulets about marrying her.
LADY CAPULET:
Oh welcome! -thy looks do not offend-
CAPULET:
Are you employed?
PARIS:
Gainfully!
CAPULET:
Will thy treat her well?
PARIS:
I know I will make Juliet happy.
CAPULET:
So confident!
LADY CAPULET:
I trust thee, Paris! You are good for Juliet. Meet us tonight at the feast!
PARIS:
Yes, I will see thy Juliet tonight!
(Capulets exit)
…and hold her. And kiss her - And love her... Forever. And ever.
NARRATOR:
The Capulets had an exclusive party at their home that evening. Only those on
the list could get in.
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PARIS:
My name is Paris.
BOUNCER:
Paris who?
PARIS:
My Name is Paris and I’m in love with Juliet…
BOUNCER:
…umm sorry you’re not on the list.
PARIS:
Here are three gold pieces.

BOUNCER:
Ahh,
(pocketing the money)
You are thrice on the list.

NARRATOR:
Paris was admitted into the party where he could try to woo Juliet.
(party- goers all dancing, Paris dancing alone)
(Juliet walks by)

PARIS:
Hello Juliet! My name is Paris…
(Juliet keeps walking, Paris keeps dancing alone. Party goers
walk by him ignoring him)
‘Sup?.... Hello, I am Paris
Narrator:
Meanwhile, as Paris was putting his best moves on Juliet, Benvolio, wanting
Romeo to have fun, pulled some strings and snuck into the party with Romeo and
their friend Mercutio.
ROMEO:
I’m not sure I want to go
MERCUTIO:
Come on- it’ll be awesome, just blend into the crowd
BENVOLIO:
Yeah you might meet someone new…
ROMEO:
I dreamt a dream last night
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MERCUTIO:
so did I good brother
ROMEO:
but mine was something awful
MERCUTIO:

well you are awake now!

(laughing)

ROMEO:
but for how long…
(Frightened by his dream)
MERCUTIO:
dreams are but a lie!
NARRATOR:
Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and he forgets his bad dream.
ROMEO:
Who is that?
MERCUTIO:
Go talk to her.
NARRATOR:
Everything was going well until Tybalt recognized Romeo
TYBALT:
Bring me my sword!
MONTAGUE:
Tybalt why this noise?
TYBALT:
This is a Montague, our foe!
MONTAGUE:
Stand down, enjoy the party.
TYBALT:
I relent for now, but I will take revenge for this intrusion!
NARRATOR:
Unaware of his surroundings, Romeo is only focused on Juliet…
ROMEO:
Fair Juliet, I am so lucky to have met you here tonight

(kissing her hand)

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JULIET:
Oh, you kiss by the book!
NURSE:
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
(interrupting them)
(Reluctantly Juliet leaves)
ROMEO:
Tell me Nurse, more about fair Juliet…
NURSE:
Her mother is the lady of the house.
ROMEO:
What? She is a Capulet?
NURSE:
Yes. She is your enemy.
ROMEO:
but she is my love!
NARRATOR:
An emotional Romeo quickly leaves with Mercutio and Benvolio.
JULIET:
Where is Romeo?
(returning)
NURSE:
You mean Romeo Montague, the only son of your enemy?
JULIET:
No! It can’t be; my only love has sprung from my only hate!
NARRATOR:
Later that night, Romeo sneaks to the Capulet home to talk to her again. He
spies Juliet in a window above.
ROMEO:
But soft what light through yonder window breaks.
NARRATOR:
Juliet at her window mourns the fact that Romeo’s name is Montague and that
they may not be allowed to be together…
JULIET:
Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name…
ROMEO:
I love thee still.
JULIET: ROMEO:
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What’s in a name?
Call a rose by any other name,
it would smell as sweet. it would smell as sweet.
(Overlapping)

ROMEO:
Call me love, and marry me.

JULIET:
You betcha’
ROMEO:
Until then, g’bye
JULIET:
Parting is such sweet sorrow
NARRATOR:
Romeo hurries to see his friend at the church Friar Lawrence:, who happened to
be an expert in many areas.
ROMEO:
Good morrow friar!
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
Benedicte! Where hast thou been?
ROMEO:
I have been feasting with mine enemy.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
What?!
ROMEO:
I met fair Juliet last night. And I wish to marry her.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
I see…
ROMEO:
Marry us at once!
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
Wisely and slow, for those stumble that run fast. I’ll thy assistant be, for
this alliance may bring peace to your households. The wedding shall be this
afternoon.
NARRATOR:
Romeo then rushes to meet with Juliet’s nurse to tell her the plan
ROMEO:
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Nurse!
NURSE:
Good Day, Romeo.
ROMEO:
Tell Juliet to find an excuse to come to confession this afternoon.
NURSE:
Confession?! What has she done?
ROMEO:
Nothing…
NURSE:
Ah! I see. The wedding will be today then?! I will send Juliet.
NARRATOR:
The Nurse then ran to Juliet.
NURSE:
Juliet! Juliet! (Out of breath)
JULIET: ‘
What news?
NURSE:
What haste? Do you not see I am out of breath?!
JULIET:
But hast thou met with him?
NURSE:
Oh my head aches!
JULIET:
What say Romeo of the wedding?
NURSE:
Today, thou must go to confession! For your groom awaits!
JULIET:
Sweet Nurse, farewell!
NURSE:
I am the sweetest!
NARRATOR:
Later, at the church in secret, Romeo and Juliet meet with Friar Lawrence: and
are married.
(pantomime wedding)
Meanwhile, in the streets of Verona Tybalt runs into Mercutio and Benvolio
TYBALT:
Friends of the Romeo’s! How dare you darken these streets
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MERCUTIO:
Why so rude? It was just a party –with dancing!
TYBALT:
Here’s my sword- it shall make you dance.
BENVOLIO:
Are swords so necessary? Is peace so difficult?
(Romeo enters)
TYBALT:
Thou, Villian Romeo!
ROMEO:
Villian I am none, I see thou knowest me not.
TYBALT:
This does not excuse you, turn and draw!
ROMEO:
-but the name Capulet I now hold dearly as my own-
MERCUTIO:
(drawing his sword)
If thou will not, I will
(they fight)
TYBALT:
aghh
(stabbing Mercutio)
MERCUTIO:
Agh!
BENVOLIO:
Are you hurt?!
MERCUTIO:
Yes, a scratch, just a scratch! Tis’ not so deep as a well. Ask for me
tomorrow, and you will find me a grave man.
BENVOLIO:
Let’s get thee to a doctor
MERCUTIO:
(in pain)
Argh!!!! A plague on both your houses!
(both exiting)

NARRATOR:
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Romeo feels guilty for the fight- he really wants both families to resolve
their grudge and get along… but then Benvolio comes rushing back with news
BENVOLIO:
Romeo, O Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead!
NARRATOR:
Romeo is instantly filled with rage!
ROMEO:
Mercutio’s soul is now over our heads- and either thou or I must join him!
(Drawing sword and stabbing Tybalt)

TYBALT:
Agh!
(dies)
BENVOLIO:
Romeo, away, be gone! The Queen will banish you!
QUEEN:
Benvolio! Who began this bloody fray?! I see here before me 2 lying dead, a
Montague and a Capulet. Someone must be punished!
BENVOLIO:
Romeo tried to stop their swords- he did kill Tybalt- but out of blind rage
for Mercutio!
QUEEN:
And for that offense immediately you are exiled. Romeo, you are banished from
these streets forever.
NARRATOR:
Word travels fast of Romeo. Benvolio runs to tell Lady Montague of Romeo’s
banishment.
BENVOLIO:
Sad news! Romeo has slain Tybalt, a Capulet!
LADY MONTAGUE:
No! Not my baby! He would never!
BENVOLIO:
Alas. Tis true.
LADY MONTAGUE:
Not my baby! Where is he? Romeo?!
BENVOLIO:
Banished.
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LADY MONTAGUE:
Nooooooo!!!!!!
(Grasping her heart)
I can’t go on! Banished! I banish thou to death!
(She dies)
NARRATOR:
Juliet’s Nurse gets word and runs to tell Juliet- who is waiting on Romeo…
JULIET:
Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?

NURSE:
(enters upset)
He’s killed! He’s dead.
JULIET:
Romeo is slain?
NURSE:
Tybalt! My dear friend, thou cousin. Romeo that killed him is banished
JULIET:
Oh no!
(weeping)
O serpent heart hid with a flowering face tis Romeo
NURSE:
The fight was brutal -it seemed he had no choice but to strike back. Tybalt
was always hot tempered!
(weeping)
JULIET:
Then he had no choice…
NURSE:
He is still a murderer! Paris is a better man for you. Mayhap he is the
right choice… Your mother has arranged your wedding to Paris for this
Thursday.
JULIET:
Thursday will be my death!
(Weeping)
NURSE:
Juliet?
(Juliet uncontrollably weeping does not respond)
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….Juliet?
(Nurse exits)
NARRATOR:
Juliet desperate for help, runs to Friar Lawrence: for help.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
Benedicte!
JULIET:
If thou can’t save me from this marriage to Paris- I take a dagger to my
heart!

FRIAR LAWRENCE:
Easy now, I have a plan. Take this vial; upon tonight drink thy potion. In
the morning they will find you dead and bring your corpse here. Meanwhile,
I’ll send a letter to Romeo of the plan- Then thou wilt awaken and Romeo, by
my letter will know, will meet thou here.
NARRATOR:
Juliet flees back home to bed and takes the potion. Meanwhile Friar Lawrence:
is finishing her to do list for the day
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
Do laundry, check! Buy tomatoes, check! Polish church bells, check! ….I feel
like I had something else to do…. What was it?... hmmm- Meh! – Oh well! Off
to bed!
NARRATOR:
Early the next morning the Nurse goes to waken Juliet for the wedding to
Paris.
NURSE:
Juliet! It’s time to get up… Juliet… Juliet! AGHHH! My lady is dead!

(ENTER Family mourning Juliet)

NARRATOR:
Devastated, the family mourns Juliet and moves her to the tomb at the church.
Paris of course is devastated to lose his bride on what he thought was his
wedding day and goes to visit her in the tomb. Romeo somehow never got word
that Juliet was faking her death, but word traveled quickly that she was
actually dead and he ran to the tomb to see her taking with him poison for
himself.
ROMEO:
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Fair Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight.

PARIS:
Villain! Why are you here?!
ROMEO:
Leave me alone!
PARIS:
I must apprehend thee! I am Paris and I am in love with Juliet!
ROMEO:
Back off! Tempt not a desperate man!
PARIS:
Villian- get thee gone!
ROMEO:
(drawing his sword)
You get thee gone!

PARIS:
(drawing his sword)
How dare you!
(They fight; Paris is stabbed)
aghh!
(Falling dead)
I am mortally wounded!
(lifting head still alive)
Juliet! My name is Paris and I will always love you!
(Falling dead again… then lifting head still alive)
forever and ever
(falling dead again...then lifting head still alive)
and…. Ugh…. I should have been on the list!
(Falling dead finally)
ROMEO:
My Juliet- your cheeks are still rosy, you don’t even look dead.
(taking his poison)
Here’s to my love! O true apothecary
(drinks)
Thy drugs are quick.
(Falling dead)
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
Romeo you made it!
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(Seeing him dead)….

Uh oh…
(seeing Paris dead)
Paris too?
JULIET:
(waking)
Romeo? Romeo?! …Dead?
(Seeing the poison vial)
and not a drop left for me? (Taking his dagger) O happy dagger, this is thy
sheath!
(Stabs herself, falls dead)
NARRATOR:
The Queen along with the Capulets and the Montagues came quickly after hearing
of Romeo’s and Paris’ death in the tomb.
CAPULET:
O Heavens!
LADY CAPULET:
No!
(holding Juliet)
Why?! Leave me not, my child…
(weeping)
This is too much to bear! This feud must end before we are all dead!
CAPULET:
Tis true…
MONTAGUE:
Peace. (shaking hands)
QUEEN:
A glooming peace this morning with it brings.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
I feel somewhat responsible… For never was a story of more woe than this of
Juliet and her Romeo.
SHAKESPEARE:
Bravo! Bravo, lowly actors!

THE END
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