ROMEY LOVES JOOLS
What if ‘Romeo and Juliet’ hadn’t ended
tragically? What if the whole ‘oh no she’s
dead, I’ll kill meself then, no she’s not
dead, too late, oh we’re both dead’ fiasco
got sorted out properly and the young lovers had to cope
with not just the dramatic fallout, but also the mundanity
of being just another couple? In other words, shifting
format from theatrical tragedy to televisual sitcom
‘Romey loves Jools’ looks at that most
underused comedy double act of all: the couple who love
each other but have to cope with the spark of romance
being nearly extinguished by the frustrations and inanities
of everyday life. It is isn’t a battle of the
sexes, or a swearing competition, or a Shakespearean
injoke-fest. All you have to know is that Romeo and
Juliet were once the most famous lovers in the world,
and now they have to sort out whose turn it is to do
the washing-up.
CHARACTERS
ROMEO
Not quite a geezer, but still unsure of the Mystery
That Is Woman, Romeo is a little disappointed that Happily
Ever After has meant a dull clerking job with Juliet’s
father, a smaller apartment than he would have liked,
and some of his old mates (and enemies) hanging around
as ghosts.
JULIET
Still determined to make the relationship work, Juliet
loves Romeo dearly, but would love the romance to have
continued after the killing had stopped. Keeps Rosaline
around as Best Mate, but really only so she can keep
an eye on her.
ROSALINE
Romeo’s ex before Juliet came along. Still hasn’t
given up on getting Romeo back, and keeps Juliet around
as Best Mate, but really only so she can be there to
snatch back her man when it all goes wrong.
BALTHAZAR
Romeo’s geezerish drinking buddy and work colleague.
Has a good relationship with Juliet in that they take
turns to tease Romeo, who pretends he doesn’t
mind, although in fact he does.
PARIS, TYBALT and MERCUTIO
All victims of Romeo and Juliet’s romance, now
returned as ghosts. Paris still hankers after Juliet,
although his death has complicated things a little,
while Tybalt and Mercutio have a competitive, bickering
relationship that may just mask rather deeper feelings
beneath…
|
Read
a sample from the pilot script |