A family affair

Romeo And Juliet is unlike the other 'great' Shakespeare tragedies that make up the rest of this RSC season. Rather than focus on the fate of kings and their kin, it spins a more private, intimate tale of family drama. Peter Gill's uncluttered production seems keen to emphasise this. The servants of both households are much more in evidence, with Juliet's Nurse playing a more pivotal role, and Juliet's parents' responses to their daughter's wayward behaviour is foregrounded.

It's an interesting approach, sadly marred by some lukewarm performances that leave an emptiness where the passionate heart of this play should beat. The overall result, like Simon Daw's toile de Jouy-style blue, halferoded frescoes on cream walls, is a bit of a wash-out.

For what we really want to see is the unbridled desire of the two leads, whose headlong dash to consummate their love causes chaos and tragedy at every turn. Matthew Rhys and S"an Brooke are certainly young and beautiful enough for the parts, and they do immature and over-excited with comic relish, making the grown-ups' scoldings all the more believable.

But, crucially, the pair go through the motions of being in love rather than displaying Earth-shattering feelings for each other and this weakens the production.

June Watson as the earthy, garrulous Nurse and David Hargreaves as a rather ancient and choleric Lord Capulet are excellent, though,

and lift their scenes with a welcome injection of unfettered emotion.

Until Jan 8 (no perf Dec 25), Albery Theatre, St Martin's Lane WC2, Mon to Sat

7.30pm, various mats 1.30pm, £10 to £39. Tel: 0870 060

6621. Tube: Leicester Square

Romeo And Juliet