Romeo and Juliet UK tour 2027: full cast and dates

Matthew Anthony Ralph is making his professional stage debut as Romeo in a new production of Romeo and Juliet, playing opposite Lauren Conroy as Juliet. Directed by Chelsea Walker, the production opens at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh on 30 January 2027 and then tours to Leeds Playhouse, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, Northern Stage in Newcastle and Nottingham Playhouse, where it closes on 8 May 2027.

The full cast was announced on 13 November 2026. The production is made jointly by ETT, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse, and the official listings describe it as a visceral, contemporary new adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy.

Romeo and Juliet UK tour 2027 dates and venues

The route takes in five cities over just over three months, starting in Scotland and finishing in the East Midlands. ETT's own production page and each venue's listing give the dates as follows.

• Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh: 30 January to 27 February 2027
• Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Theatre: 3 to 20 March 2027
• Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford: 23 to 27 March 2027
• Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne: 13 to 17 April 2027
• Nottingham Playhouse: 20 April to 8 May 2027

Edinburgh has the longest stay, at four weeks, and its booking calendar lists the first performances, from 30 January to 3 February, as previews. Leeds follows with almost three weeks in the Quarry Theatre, before shorter visits to Guildford and Newcastle and a final run of nearly three weeks in Nottingham. No further venues have been announced. For more shows on the road this year, see our touring theatre guide.

Romeo and Juliet cast: Matthew Anthony Ralph and Lauren Conroy lead

Matthew Anthony Ralph takes on Romeo in his first professional stage role. Lauren Conroy, whose credits listed in the announcement include Dear Evan Hansen and The Sound of Music, plays Juliet.

The full company numbers nine. Lewis MacDougall, described as an award winning Scottish actor and known for House of the Dragon and Sweat, plays Mercutio. Anna Russell-Martin, named a Rising Scotland Star in 2024, whose work includes Bacchae and The Hen Night, plays the Nurse. Ryan Hunter, whose credits include King Lear and Macbeth, is Tybalt.

Adam McNamara, whose work includes Peer Gynt and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, plays Capulet. Marlowe Chan-Reeves, known for Shetland and Much Ado About Nothing, plays Paris. Okiki Oladapo is also making his stage debut, as Benvolio, and Catrin Aaron, whose credits include Henry V and Romeo and Julie, plays Sister.

Romeo and Juliet director Chelsea Walker and the creative team

Chelsea Walker returns to ETT after directing A Streetcar Named Desire and Cougar for the company. Nottingham Playhouse notes that she won the Sir Peter Hall Director Award in 2017.

Walker said: "I am thrilled to join forces with ETT, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse to direct Romeo and Juliet. It's a play I've always wanted to direct, and it feels more urgent and moving now than ever before, in a world where decisions are made in the blink of an eye and people are forced to grow up younger and younger. We have put together a really exciting, talented company of actors and creatives. I can't wait to start rehearsals with them in Edinburgh."

The design is by Georgia Lowe, with music by composer Max Perryment, sound by Pete Malkin, lighting by Lizzie Powell and video by Lewis den Hertog. Lucy Hind is movement and intimacy director, Carter Ferguson is fight director, casting is by Becky Paris and the associate director is Vaila Anderson.

Romeo and Juliet story and what to expect on tour

The official listings set out the story in familiar terms: a pair of teenagers fall madly in love while their families violently tear each other apart. ETT calls it an explosive, urgent tale of forbidden love, secrets, loyalty and grief, where one wrong decision can change everything, and asks what you do when your fate is already sealed but you are falling in love for the very first time.

The venues give a little more practical detail. Leeds Playhouse lists a running time of about two hours plus a 20 minute interval, and expects the production to contain themes of intimacy and violence. The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre says it contains strobe, flashing lights and loud bangs. Age guidance is 11 and over on ETT's page and in Guildford, and 12 and over in Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle, so check the guidance for the theatre you plan to visit.

Leeds and Nottingham are among the regional houses in our guide to the best regional theatres in the UK. ETT has toured widely before, including with Reasons to Stay Alive.

Image: © English Touring Theatre