By Kayla Pickrell

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The romantic play “Romeo and Juliet” is mostly known for its tendency to exaggerate teenage love.  Two very contrasting elements of the fine arts came together Wednesday at the Round Table to discuss their take on the love story.

The UK Department of Theater will be producing the Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in December, although by no means is it the classic version.  UK Opera’s “Romeo et Juliette”, a sung version of the romantic tragedy, opens next week.

On one hand, the operatic version, “Romeo et Juliette”, focuses on the romantic, traditional version that William Shakespeare is known for.  Set in Verona, Italy in the Renaissance era, the audience will truly grasp the sense of warmth and that of the time period.

On the other hand, the play “Romeo and Juliet” will take the side of the Shakespeare play we know and reverse it, giving a version that is not looked at as often.

“The play will be ripe with tension, with threat,” Andrew Kimbrough, director of “Romeo and Juliet”, said.

Although certain parts will be cut out, the play will still have a focus on the violence.  “It’s two houses at war,” Tony Hardin, set designer of the play, said. “There’s a frostiness to it.”

The opera, “Romeo et Juliette”, will be more similar to the Shakespearian version,  but the violence will be eminent.  “The tragedy certainly builds,” Stephanie Sundine, director of “Romeo et Juliette”, said.

The four members of the panel were Stephanie Sundinea and Richard Kagey, of the opera, and Andrew Kimbrough and Tony Hardin, of the theatrical production.

Throughout the hour of questions, answers and discussion, the panel examined set, lighting, inspiration, characters and costumes.

No matter the topic though, the panel seemed to have differing opinions and very different ideas abut their productions.

Hardin said, “The costumes are very modern European,” whereas Richard Kagey, the set designer fo“Romeo et Juliette”, said, “It is very traditional Renaissance clothes with beautiful colors and designs.”

The play has “texture,” a “looming quality,” and a “sense of danger,” Hardin said.

The two contrasting productions will provide a taste of Shakespeare, and students can interpret themselves.