Shakespeare's heartbreaking tale of forbidden love, brought to life in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh. It was performed as part of the Plays at the Garrick Season in 2016, starring Derek Jacobi as Mercutio, Meera Syal as the Nurse, and Lily James and Richard Madden as the star-crossed lovers. This official tie-in edition features the version of Shakespeare's text performed in the production as well as exclusive additional material.
Yes, this may not have the insidious appeal of Twilight or Justin Beiber for that matter, but young people of this new millennium have to understand this was written during a time when teenage marriages weren't only quite common and legal, but expected and encouraged even. Juliet's own mother was 14 when she had her! That and the gaping plot holes aside, this is a wonderful and, albeit, tragic story of first love. True most teenagers only think they're in love due to their rapidly changing bodies, but sometimes you do happen to find "the one" right off the bat. So don't discount The Bard just yet.
