"Hello everyone, first I want to thank all of you in the audience for being here today. The story we will perform is inspired by Romeo and Juliet, written by Shakespeare. Without further ado, Class 1-A will begin the play. Please, enjoy." — The director.
♦♦♦ First Scene: Clash ♦♦♦
A long time ago, two powerful families lived in the town of Verona, in Italy. These families were sworn enemies who wouldn't think twice before raising their swords — the Montagues and the Capulets.
"Your time will finally end!" — Montague family.
"Over your dead body!" — Capulet family.
The streets were filled with the clash of swords and violence. Nobody dared to interfere. But no matter how powerful they were, they couldn't defy the Empress of the town.
"Enough! I won't allow a single drop of blood to be spilled in my city, much less threaten the peace of innocent lives!"
In the presence of the Empress, both families could only obey and withdraw their swords.
♦♦♦ Second Scene: Romeo's Room ♦♦♦
Despite the hatred spreading through the town of Verona, ironically, romance was another problem they had to face.
"Romeo, did you sleep? Your eyes are so cloudy." — Benvolina, Romeo's cousin and friend.
"Sigh~ That's because the woman I fell in love with is getting married." — Romeo.
"You should just forget about her."
"How? How can I stop thinking about her?"
"We should visit the clergywoman."
So both of them headed to the church, in search of a solution for the young man's broken heart.
♦♦♦ Third Scene: The Church ♦♦♦
"Lord... I pray for the peace of Verona. I pray that one day everyone will understand that hatred only brings destruction to themselves and to the people they care for." — The clergywoman.
"Excuse me, we seek guidance." — Benvolina asked.
"Good morning! How can I help you?" — The clergywoman.
"It's me... my heart aches whenever I think about the woman who is already getting married to another man." — Romeo.
"I know how you feel, but you're still young. Life should be more enjoyable. The pain will pass with time — if you let it."
"It still aches, but you're right. Thank you."
When Romeo and his cousin left the church, one of Romeo's friends, Merculy, started making fun of Romeo's love life... but at the same time, tried to comfort him.
Then, a humble maidservant asked Romeo to read a letter for her — a list of names invited to the masquerade party organized by the Capulets. Romeo read it aloud for the maidservant, since she couldn't read. As a token of gratitude, the maidservant informed him that anyone who wasn't a Montague was welcome to attend.
Merculy and Benvolina, for Romeo's sake, thought it was for the best.
♦♦♦ Fourth Scene: The Masquerade Party ♦♦♦
As a way for Romeo to heal his broken heart, his friends encouraged him to attend the masquerade party organized by the rival family. There, he might find his true love. Meanwhile, Juliet, the daughter of the rival family, meets the man who wishes to marry her — but she knows he isn't the one.
But then, as fate had written, Romeo and Juliet met each other.
"Excuse me, would you dance with me?" — Romeo.
"Of course, the honor will be all mine." — Juliet.
Even with masks, both were captivated by each other's gaze.
"I dare say, I've never seen someone as beautiful and graceful as you."
"Such sweet words... though, I feel the same about you. Does your heart already belong to someone?"
"No, but right now I'm willing to give it to someone."
"Then, would it be okay to show your face?"
"Of course! ... Here, am I handsome enough for your liking?"
"Fufu~ I must say it's passable..."
"I must say, now I'm kind of hurt."
"... To give my entire life only to you."
At that moment, their fates began to intertwine.
"Excuse me, Lady Capulet is calling you, Juliet." — Capulet maidservant.
"Thank you. I hope to meet you soon." — Juliet said, stepping away from the spotlight.
"So her name is Juliet... what a wonderful name. But why did Lady Capulet call her?" — Romeo.
"That's because she's her mother, young man. By the way, care to reveal your name, since you know hers?" — Capulet maidservant.
"My name is—"
"We must go! Excuse us, Madam, but we need to attend to an urgent matter." — Benvolina said while pushing Romeo off stage together with Merculy.
Even though Romeo's friend tried to cover his identity, one of the Capulets recognized his face and told everyone — including Juliet.
♦♦♦ Fifth Scene: The Balcony ♦♦♦
While returning home, Romeo couldn't contain his desire to see the woman he had fallen in love with. Without hesitation, he decided to sneak into the Capulet estate.
There, he heard something that gave him the courage to speak his heart.
"Oh Romeo, why must you be you? I wish you weren't a Montague… but if you say you love me, I'll cast away my name and be all yours." — Juliet.
"Oh Juliet, if you love me, then I'll never be the Romeo."
"Romeo!? What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't contain these feelings. Juliet, I want to marry you!"
"... Eh!?"
Juliet was struck by Romeo's passion.
But regardless, she decided to choose her happiness rather than be bound by her family's rules. That night, in the middle of the midnight hour, Romeo and Juliet were married by the blessing of the clergywoman.
Love had blossomed in the midst of hate... and the beginning of a tragedy.
♦♦♦ Sixth Scene: The Banishment of Romeo ♦♦♦
The day began with birds chirping — but not for one person.
"I saw a Montague at our party. How dare you stoop this low!" — Tibyline.
"I'm not your enemy anymore." — Romeo.
"Yes, you are! And now you'll serve as an example for those who dare set foot on our property without invitation — even if you're a man."
"Please, I'm already married to Juliet."
"Draw your sword!"
"Not on my watch!" — Merculy.
"Back off! You're not involved in this!" — Tibyline.
"If it's for my friend, then I won't hesitate to fight you."
A fierce battle to the death began in the streets of Verona. At first, both were evenly matched, but over time, Merculy began to falter until… her heart was pierced by the sword.
Romeo, in a desperate attempt to save his friend, drew his sword and struck Tibyline down — but unfortunately, it was already too late.
Witnesses reported the event to the Empress.
Later, Juliet heard the terrible news... Romeo had been banished from Verona.
♦♦♦ Seventh Scene: Fake Death ♦♦♦
"Juliet, accept it already — you will marry the Count and bring prosperity to our family!" — Lady Capulet.
"I already have a husband, and I swore to the gods that I would be with him forever!"
"Only over my dead body! You know I'm not joking!" — Lady Capulet left the stage.
"What should I do?" — Juliet asked herself.
"Excuse me, Juliet, may I have a word with you?" — The clergywoman entered the stage.
"Please, tell me, where's Romeo? I want to be with him!"
"And have your entire family hunting both of you? Calm down, Juliet. I have a plan."
"Okay... I'm ready to listen."
"First, Romeo is safe, don't worry. As for the plan, here's what we'll do: you will drink this potion that will stop your pulse for a day. I'll testify to your 'death' and you'll be buried near the church. I'll send one of my apprentices to deliver a message to Romeo about the plan, and if everything goes well, you'll wake up when he arrives and both of you can live a happy life."
"If death is what I need to meet Romeo, then I don't need to think twice. Thank you very much."
That day, the city of Verona received the news of Juliet's death. As for Romeo, he never received the clergywoman's message, because her apprentice had fallen ill that day. His heart, once healed, was now shattered by immeasurable sadness.
♦♦♦ Eighth Scene: The Tragic End ♦♦♦
The day began with silence in the air. Juliet was carried to the tomb near the church, and all the Capulet family mourned for hours. Little by little, they left her alone.
Then, Romeo stepped into the tomb to see his beloved wife one last time. However—
"What's a Montague doing here!? Are you here to mock her family?" — Juliet's ex-fiancé.
"I'm not a Montague anymore... I'm here to see my wife."
"Nonsense! I won't allow you to sully her grave!"
"If you stand in my way, I'm ready to die."
"Then I'll help you with that! Draw your sword!"
Romeo's resolve was stronger than anyone's at that moment. He became a fearless warrior, just to meet his beloved one last time.
"Juliet!" — Romeo screamed.
"Die, Montague! ... No, wait! Wait!"
BAM!
The final attack struck like thunder... so strong the body kept trembling.
With blood on his hands, Romeo grieved for the misfortune he had brought to everyone around him. Even so, he still needed to see Juliet one last time.
When Romeo saw his beloved's corpse, he couldn't accept her death and decided to do the unthinkable.
"..." — Romeo remained frozen.
Romeo... needed time to collect himself.
"Breath in and breathe out... If I call your name, will you wake up, Juliet?" — Romeo said with a trembling voice.
"This is the first time I've seen you sleeping. You look so peaceful... I guess God has another plan for you. Unlike me, you must be in heaven by His side. But if by any chance you're waiting for me, then I'll be by your side soon. A world without you is unbearable to live in..." — Romeo took his medicine. — "I guess it's time to say farewell to this world, but before I go, there's something I forgot to tell you from the beginning... something I was always afraid to say... I love you, Juliet. Since the day we met, I've loved you." — Romeo died after kissing Juliet's forehead.
The... The moment Romeo enters into an eternal slumber, Juliet regains consciousness.
"Sob... Romeo?... Sob... Did you come to take me?... Sob... Romeo?... Sob... I can't— Sob... I can't go on anymore... Sob" — Juliet cried uncontrollably.
Juliet... Juliet couldn't contain her tears after hearing Romeo's last words. Without thinking twice, she took Romeo's sword and pierced her own heart while crying. That was how their love story ended.
That day, in the city of Verona, it began to rain — and all the citizens prayed for the two to live a happy life in the afterworld.
♦♦♦ The End ♦♦♦
"I want to thank you all for taking the time to watch this play. I'm aware there's a lot of room for improvement, but even so, I'm sure we were able to entertain you. Please feel free to write your thoughts about this play — we arranged a box and paper especially for that. Class 1-A hereby announces the end. Thank you very much." — The director.