ROMEO FINDS HIS JULIET

A Lancashire-based actor has won a prestigious role in a dynamic new drama, which explores troubled teen relationships. Wigan based Eleanor Hawthorne was chosen from over 50 applicants to star alongside Longridge-based actor Kieren Spencer in ROMEO JONES – the latest offering from Preston’s longest running professional theatre company, Certain Curtain Theatre. Fresh from it’s triumphant run of WOMAN ON FIRE at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Certain Curtain Theatre is now taking this original play into Lancashire schools thanks to support from The Police Crime Commissioner and The Francis C Scott Trust.

Eleanor is currently in rehearsal with her part of JULIET SMITH – a star-crossed lover, who discovers that her Romeo may not be all that he appears to be.

“Eleanor is a talented, young actress and just right for the part of Juliet Smith,’ says Writer-Director John Woudberg, “ which requires a mix of vulnerability and strength. ‘Romeo Jones’ takes the world’s greatest love-story as its jumping off point but is very different from Shakespeare’s play.”

This latest work came about as a result of requests from school, after the company’s extensive tour of MOCKINGBIRD HIGH – a play examining the effects of domestic abuse on children and young people.

“Abuse can be difficult to recognise, in any relationship” says Claire Moore actor and co-director “It is especially difficult for teenagers because they are new to it all ‘Romeo Jones’ looks at how abuse and control may lurk behind the protestations of undying love”

Eleanor is a recent graduate from ALRA North and is keen to explore her first professional acting role:

“I was incredibly excited when I got the part. It’s a beautifully written story about a very important topic. I hope it reaches as many people as possible”

The play begins a pilot tour of Lancashire Schools on 9^th October to coincide with domestic abuse awareness month and the company is planning an extensive national tour for 2018.