Jessie Buckley & Josh O’Connor to star in National Theatre’s original film adaptation of Romeo & Juliet

Photo credit: Sebastian Nevols

The National Theatre’s Lyttelton space will temporarily turn into a film studio to record Romeo & Juliet for the silver screen, marking the first time the venue has created an original film for screen on-site.

Starring Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor, the production was meant to go ahead on stage this year but the pandemic meant it was cancelled. However, the pair will both star in the 90-minute film, which will be broadcast on Sky Arts in Spring 2021.

The play will also star Fiasco Akinde, Deborah Findlay, Tamsin Greig and Lucian Msamati, and will be directed by NT associate Simon Godwin.

This version of Romeo & Juliet has been adapted for screen by Emily Burns and will see design by Soutra Gilmour and music by Michael Bruce.

National Theatre Director, Rufus Norris, said: "I wanted to find a way to use that space to create something exciting and special for audiences, that utilised the exceptional skill and craft of the National Theatre’s teams, freelancers and creative associates, and that could reach as many people as we can. That’s all going to be possible with this brilliant film of Romeo and Juliet and, in collaboration with Sky Arts, PBS and [US production company] No Guarantees, it will be seen across the UK and US.”

Godwin added: "This has been a uniquely challenging time for the industry and so I have huge respect for Rufus and the team for meeting this challenge with creativity and deciding to use the Lyttelton theatre in this way for filmed work. I think it’s a genius idea and I’m honoured to be able to create the first film."

Romeo and Juliet will be produced by the NT in association with Sabel Productions, led by National Theatre Live creator David Sabel, and Cuba Pictures.

Rehearsals are due to begin next month, with filming starting in December.