Australian Theatre for Young People (atyp) presents Cursed Hearts. This dynamic new production is inspired by the Romeo and Juliet of Shakespeare, Gounod, and Prokofiev and opens at atyp’s Studio 1 on 28 July 2011.

This innovative interpretation of Romeo and Juliet fuses the classic techniques of opera, ballet and Shakespearian theatre with electronic music, contemporary dance and bite-sized text.

Atyp declare the piece to be "...an instillation. The seating banks are gone and destruction surrounds you as you are guided on an emotional journey told through the melodies, harmonies and dissonance of the chorus of 16 performers."

Combining the skills of director, Danielle O’Keefe, conductor for the Australian Youth Choir and choreographer Belinda Scanlan, artistic director of the Sydney Regional Dance Festival, this is the fourth production in atyp’s main stage season and is unlike anything atyp has presented before.

“we have set Cursed Hearts in a futuristic world where characters are driven by necessity and time is running out,” saysO'Keefe.

 “This work layers text, voice, body and projected image to find new light. It is young, energetic and fast paced” says Scanlan, "People will feel the pulse of Romeo and Juliet running through their veins as the original music composed score fills the room. We are aiming to completely saturate the senses!’

The show will be visually stunning with sculptural costume design and a set that violently interrupts the space. There are no seats. The large cast move in and through a standing crowd. The walls come alive with sounds and sculpture.

Cursed Hearts opens at atyp Studio 1 on July 28 and runs until 13 August.

Show details
DIRECTOR: Danielle O’Keefe
CHOREOGRAPHER: Belinda Scanlan
CAST: Peter Aoun, Scott Bolas, Isaac Bradley,
Emma Brawley, Andrea Cabello, Madison Cameron, Alya Drobot, Alfie Gledhill, Joanna Griffiths, Molly Haddon, Blaine Horne, Sara McCoy, Pollyanna Nowicki, Elizabeth Pallas, Christina Paterno, Melanie Priest, Rebecca Quinn, Georgia Sekulla, Rachel Smuin, Mikhail Ushakoff, Tehani Vicario

SET DESIGNER: Marc Barold
COSTUME DESIGNER:Adrienn Lord
SOUND DESIGNER:Tom Brennen, Zacchary Wiffen,
LIGHTING DESIGNERBen Cisterne,
AUDIO VISUAL DESIGN: Trevor Willis,
COSTUME ASSISTANT: Chloe Lawrence-Hartcher

VENUE: atyp Studio 1, The Wharf, Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
DATES: 28 July – 13 August 2011
PERFORMANCES: Wed – Sat 7pm, Sun 5pm, Wed & Fri 12.30pm
PRICES: $20 full / $17 conc / $15 supporters
BOOKINGS: call atyp on 02 9270 2400 or book online