AT the age of 23, Joe Meighan’s reputation is so high, the Garrick have asked him to direct both their next production, Romeo and Juliet, and Secret Garden in March.

Joe said: “Although Romeo and Juliet has light scenes in the first half, things get darker in the second.

“I believe it is the greatest love story ever told.”

He beamed when he said: “I wanted to make it accessible for everyone in a world they will recognise with relationships they can relate to.

“So I have re-imagined the whole thing to take place at the turn of the century and Romeo and Juliet meeting at a Millennium party.

“The Capulet and Montague families are rival record companies ; it’s all about music empires.”

Joe has, therefore, added music to his two hour production.

“There is singing and some characters play instruments but it isn’t a musical.” he said.

Played by Becky Myers and Haroun-Al-Jeddal, Romeo and Juliet are now 16.

“It has been a huge challenge for them but they have risen to it,” said \Joe.

Joe’s Friar, played by Mark Butt, will be an ex-hippie/pastor in shorts.

“He will follow the moral line rather than the religious line.”

“The fights are graphic. If people fight it must be through anger. It should be spontaneous. There should be moments of clumsiness because they are not professional fighters. That makes it realistic.

“There will be no swords only knives and fists.”

One aspect will remain unchanged - Shakespeare’s immortal language.

* Romeo and Juliet is at the Garrick Playhouse from September 19 – 24. For tickets, ring 0161 928 1677 or see altrinchamgarrick.co.uk. – Julia Taylor