Romeo and Juliet (A2 Level Play)
Characters:
- Narrator: Tells the story.
- Romeo: A young man from the Montague family.
- Juliet: A young woman from the Capulet family.
- Mercutio: Romeo’s loyal and brave best friend.
- Tybalt: Juliet’s angry cousin.
- Friar Laurence: A kind priest.
Scene 1: The Masquerade Party
(Music plays softly. Juliet is dancing. Romeo wears a mask and watches her from across the room.)
Narrator: Verona is a beautiful city, but two rich families—the Montagues and the Capulets—hate each other. Tonight, Romeo Montague is at a Capulet party in disguise.
Romeo: (Whispering to himself) Who is that girl? She is as bright as the sun. I must talk to her.
(Romeo walks over to Juliet.)
Romeo: Excuse me, fair lady. My name is Romeo.
Juliet: (Smiles) Nice to meet you, Romeo. I am Juliet.
Romeo: You are very beautiful. I think I love you.
Juliet: It is very sudden, but… I think I love you too.
Tybalt: (Angrily walks in) Stop! That is Romeo, a Montague! He is our enemy! Get out of here, Romeo!
Romeo: (Looks at Juliet) We must go, but I will see you again.
Scene 2: The Balcony
(Nighttime. Juliet stands on a balcony or behind a chair. Romeo stands below, looking up.)
Juliet: Oh Romeo, Romeo! Why is your name Romeo? Why are you a Montague? Deny your name, and I will be yours!
Romeo: (Steps forward) Call me your love! A name is just a word. A rose smells sweet with any other name.
Juliet: Romeo! Are you crazy? It is dangerous here! If my family sees you, they will hurt you.
Romeo: I do not care about danger. My love for you makes me brave.
Juliet: Do you really love me?
Romeo: Yes, with all my heart. Let us get married tomorrow!
Juliet: Tomorrow at nine o’clock, I will send someone to you. Good night, my love!
Romeo: Good night, Juliet. Sleep well!
Scene 3: The Secret Wedding
(Friar Laurence stands holding a book. Romeo and Juliet enter together.)
Friar Laurence: Welcome, my children. Romeo, yesterday you loved Rosaline, and today you love Juliet! Is this true love?
Romeo: Yes, Father. Juliet loves me too. Please marry us today.
Juliet: Please, Father. Our families are enemies, but our love can bring peace.
Friar Laurence: (Nods slowly) You are right. Perhaps this marriage will end the war between Capulets and Montagues.
Friar Laurence: By the power of heaven, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Love each other, and be careful.
Romeo & Juliet: (Together, smiling) Thank you, Father!
Scene 4: The Fight in the Street
(A street in Verona. Mercutio is walking. Tybalt enters, looking angry. Romeo enters shortly after, smiling.)
Tybalt: Look, here comes Romeo! Romeo, draw your sword! You came to our party, and now you must pay!
Romeo: Tybalt, I do not want to fight you. I have love for the Capulet name now, even if you do not understand.
Mercutio: (Angry) Romeo, what are you doing? This is dishonorable! If you will not fight, I will! Draw your sword, Tybalt!
Tybalt: With pleasure, Mercutio!
(Mercutio and Tybalt draw their swords and begin to fight. Romeo panics.)
Romeo: Stop! Both of you, stop! The Prince banned fighting in the streets!
(Romeo steps between them to stop the fight. Tybalt reaches under Romeo’s arm and strikes Mercutio. Mercutio drops his sword and holds his chest.)
Tybalt: Ha! That is for the Montagues! (Tybalt runs off quickly.)
Romeo: (Rushes to Mercutio) Mercutio! Are you hurt?
Mercutio: (Weakly) Just a scratch… but it is enough. A curse on both your houses! Capulets and Montagues! Why did you come between us, Romeo? I was hurt under your arm.
Romeo: I only tried to stop the fight!
Mercutio: Tomorrow, look for me… and you will find a grave man. (Mercutio collapses and closes his eyes.)
Romeo: (Crying out in shock and anger) Mercutio is dead! My dear friend gave his life for my honor!
(Tybalt returns, holding his sword.)
Romeo: Tybalt! Mercutio’s soul is waiting above. One of us must go with him!
(Romeo angrily draws his sword. They fight quickly and fiercely. Romeo strikes Tybalt. Tybalt falls to the ground and does not move.)
Romeo: (Horrified, looking at his hands) Oh no! What did I do? I am fortune’s fool!
Narrator: Mercutio and Tybalt were dead. The Prince of Verona was furious and banished Romeo from the city forever.
Scene 5: The Tragic Ending
(Juliet is lying on a bench, appearing asleep. Romeo enters, looking tired and heartbroken.)
Narrator: A terrible misunderstanding happens. Friar Laurence gave Juliet a sleeping potion so she could escape her family, but Romeo thinks she is truly dead.
Romeo: (Runs to Juliet, weeping) Oh no, Juliet! My sweet wife! Your eyes are closed, your skin is cold. I cannot live in this world without you.
(Romeo takes a small bottle from his pocket and drinks.)
Romeo: With this drink, I die… and stay with you forever. (Falls next to Juliet and closes his eyes.)
Juliet: (Slowly wakes up and stretches) Where is Romeo? The potion worked! I am awake! (Looks down and sees him) Romeo! No! Wake up, please!
Narrator: But Romeo does not move. His hands are cold.
Juliet: There is no drink left for me. (Takes Romeo’s toy dagger) Then I will follow you. Goodbye, cruel world!
(Juliet falls next to Romeo. Friar Laurence enters and looks down sadly.)
Friar Laurence: Hatred brought this darkness to Verona. Two pure hearts are lost today.
Narrator: For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo. Peace has come, but the price was too high.