Award-Winning director Kamarra Bell-Wykes and actress Shontane Farmer are set to lead the latest production of "Romeo and Julie" at Red Stitch Actors' Theatre.
The Australian debut is a contemporary and humorous love story, loosely inspired by Shakespeare, written by the well-known Welsh playwright Gary Owen and will open to audiences on 24 July and run until 18 August in Melbourne.
The adaptation introduces a new narrative about Romeo, a dedicated single father, and Julie, a young woman who is determined to pursue her dream of studying physics at university, despite their different upbringings.
Yagera Butchulla women and an acclaimed director, Ms Bell-Wykes, has worked on numerous productions and will bring a wealth of experience to her creative vision for the production.
She received prestigious accolades such as the Kate Challis RAKA Award and the Patrick White Playwrights Award from the Sydney Theatre Company.
Ms Farmer, a Noongar and Yamatji actor, grew up in Perth and attended WAAPA before securing a place in Red Stitch's Hansen Graduate program, will be playing the role of Juile in the upcoming production.
Her passion for the arts began at a young age as a dancer, competing in Junior Rock Eisteddfods from age eight and later attending John Curtin College of the Arts for contemporary dance.
Ms Farmer aspires to become a successful actor, aiming to help tell Indigenous stories and address the under representation of Indigenous people in theatre and on television screens.
Last year the show received rave reviews in the UK, earning a 5-star rating during its successful stint at the National Theatre and Sherman Theatre, the run at the Red Stitch Actors' Theatre will be the Australian premiere.
