Romeo & Juliet | Balcony Scene with Josh O'Connor and Jessie Buckley | National Theatre at Home

Josh O'Connor (The Crown) is Romeo and Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl) is Juliet is our original film of Shakespeare's great romantic tragedy. Romeo & Juliet is streaming worldwide* on National Theatre at Home: www.ntathome.com/romeo-juliet
Romeo and Juliet risk everything to be together. In defiance of their feuding families, they chase a future of joy and passion as violence erupts around them.
This new film brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide to make Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy sing in an entirely new way.
Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose, Judy) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown, God’s Own Country) play Juliet and Romeo. The award-winning cast includes Tamsin Greig, Fisayo Akinade, Adrian Lester, Lucian Msamati, Deborah Findlay.
*We're streaming this film worldwide except Australia due to rights restrictions.
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[@Sherylmikk]

This was different by any other balcony scene I've ever seen. It's quiet, it's nervous, it's shy and most important it's genuine. These are Shakespeare's words but for the first time I see the story, not the actors, and I believe in what they are saying. Amazing.

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us :)

[@kimo2520]

YES!!

[@ashleighnightengale6642]

I agree this scene is an expression of authentic first love between two teens. It is fast, deep, and all-consuming. The actors are channeling the extreme emotional peaks, and valleys teens go through. That's why it feels so fresh and alive even though the scene has been performed millions of times!!!

[@briennedubh6295]

Throughly agree. This was different! This was refreshing and real and genuine. Wow. Oh how i miss live theatre.

[@takaono7243]

This - unlike any other interpretation I know - is baked with intention. Juliet needs this declaration from Romeo because she recognizes, as the audience does, how crazy and ridiculous it is for them to be this devoted to each other after only a single interaction. She is self-aware and cautious, and yet underneath all of that is the adoration that Juliet has intrinsically felt for Romeo for hundreds of years. And I think the biggest difference I see is that this adoration feels unlike Jessie Buckley's Juliet, and that recognition scares her.

[@bbmonkey14]

That was amazing. I have never seen Juliet as laying down the law before. It's always been flirty, and sweet, but she was stern and certain here. She doesn't want temporary declarations, moonlit satisfaction, she wants sincerity and certainty. She's taking no bullshit, and Romeo is absolutely besotted, waiting on her every word. Amazing.

[@invisibleman4827]

That's kind of how she's supposed to be. I was Romeo in a production about eight years ago and that was something that my co-star and I both understood very well.

[@Firegen1]

Absolutely right. The image of Juliet as flighty and childlike is not in the text at all. It's been imposed by bad productions and cultural osmosis. She is incredibly practical aa a character and always aware of the risks of their relationship. He is the one floating about like the world doesn't matter. Anyway, this is exactly how my Juliet played her when I directed the show back in 2015

[@adeadbookthief]

When she beckons for him again he gallops back with the most excited and innocent "my dear". Incredible.

[@nathanielsantoso2173]

Listening to Shakespeare is like listening to an alien language. I only have the faintest idea of what those two are talking about. BUT the way they naturalize and play the emotion in the most realistic way possible gave me tremendous access into the scene.

[@invisibleman4827]

It changes when you perform it. It all starts to come together, and you get the rhythm way better than in a school classroom.

[@mastpg]

You just need to hear it and read it a few times. It'll click.

[@jakobbauz]

I agree. English isn't my first language, and although I normally understand every word, even in different accents and everything, I have a hard time getting this. And it's not only the occasional "thee" or whatever. The whole rhythm and intonation and everything is strange to me... 🥲 Pity. I have read/seen Shakespeare translated into my first language (German) and I have loved it. Would have been cool to appreciate the original as well. Oh well. Who has the time. 😅

[@frostbite7054]

Blown away by Jessie Buckley's effortless and natural delivery of Shakespeare's words wow

[@NationalTheatre]

A brilliant actress :)

[@frostbite7054]

@@NationalTheatre Truly 😌

[@etiennenobel5028]

I love the way that Shakespeare makes Juliet the sane one in their passion

[@monmothma3358]

Yes, well, she always was. Romeo was the one known for being flighty and controlled by his passions.

[@mb.7105]

"I gave thee mine, before thou dids't request it" oh gosh, I felt that

[@Peter-oh3hc]

I agree with all the praise below. You are just seeing two real people speak these words to each other for the first time. Great job

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you for watching

[@SAkURAYOWA]

They did the whole scene so fast but it feels so organic. The close up made it more intimate. I feel like I’m watching something I’m not supposed to see. It’s so romantic.

[@1Megan1Grace]

Josh O'Connor as Charles:uuugh Josh O'Connor as Romeo: Hello good sir 😍😍😍

[@l.a.3479]

He's outstanding in both roles, but his version of Prince Charles is definitely not likeable.

[@whatkindofnameisella682]

love how josh o'connor was so subdued in the beginning, just boyish and happy. i think that shakespeare can often get lost in the over-dramatizing but this perfectly avoided that. the both of them were just amazing :-)

[@ilmlya]

It was usually hard to understand the old ways of speaking but they make it so easy and also I am in tears

[@DamnWow]

The way they performed this made better understand the text fantastic

[@gpeddino]

"The more I give to thee, the more I have." Wow.

[@monmothma3358]

Some of the most beautiful words ever written, there. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea; my love as deep - The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite"

[@juliandiaz6414]

Jessie Buckley is a treasure. So so good.

[@tonguepetals]

I so love that Jessie Buckley is allowed to keep her beautiful lilt. I wish this had been released worldwide. I need to see this!

[@NationalTheatre]

We've released it worldwide now on our streaming service National Theatre at Home: ntathome.com

[@zeetuslupeedus]

This version of R&J feels the most authentic in terms of today. Its like yes, they’re reciting and performing the words of Shakespeare, but the way that they’re performing it doesn’t feel like it’s so far away in time from us. The choices made with how the words are delivered makes the dialogue feel like it could be real conversations between people today. This is really refreshing and beautiful.

[@carlabronner615]

Beautiful, natural, and believable. Proper attention given to a nuanced performance and the lines spoken as language not poetry.

[@thatsmyopinionn]

I felt this. They spoke Shakespearean English but I understood every word.

[@cinematicgoodness7325]

I love how different this feels. Some part of these performances especially when speaking these words feels inherently real. It doesn't feel like the actors are hamming it up considering the fancy talk being spoken, it feels like a realistic conversation about what a declaration of love means to the both of them, in that the both of them do love each other but want different ways in having that be expressed, but both, at the end of the day, are humbled by the love they have for each other regardless of the ways in which that love is expressed. It's beautiful and organic, yet still sweet and tender.

[@scottiejerwinabejuela4973]

I've never felt this kind of romance in today's media before. The chemistry of this scene is outstanding

[@rjhollenbeck8442]

I've seen many different versions of Romeo and Juliet but this was by far the best one. It feels so real and it utterly destroyed me.

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you for watching and for this lovely comment

[@heronsdoor4658]

That was particularly beautiful.

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you so much

[@maldecaribou]

This is the first time I have been able to connect with Shakespeare’s work, amazing acting from both

[@thomasarnoldi326]

Exquisite. The Shakespearean language flows just like a stream with these two actors.

[@abbacadabruh6531]

DESPERATELY needing Josh O’Connor 😩😍

[@Artchivist]

This is the best adaption I have seen so far. It sounds so real!! Josh’s delivery of ‘the exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine’ is absolutely exquisite

[@shannononefield]

Both naturalistic and poetic, and effortless and compelling to boot.

[@colinlighten6700]

You already know how talented these two are, then this. Breathtaking.

[@crystalclear6864]

This was such great acting from everyone, and nail biting scenes! Characters given more depth. My least favourite play of Shakespeare, but would watch this again and again.

[@blessing291]

same!my least preferred of Shakespeare...but this work here is the best among the rest out there, the honesty, authenticity of characters and delivery here are all so profound😩😭😍

[@MarthaGarvey]

Same!This was a wonder

[@thomasceneri867]

The BEST rendering of this scene that I have ever seen.

[@chucknyc123]

I can hardly wait until they beam this entire play into theaters all over the world. Both these actors are going to become huge stars , in every medium. This is extraordinary!

[@NationalTheatre]

You can watch it right now on our worldwide streaming service National Theatre at Home: ntathome.com

[@isabella2513]

This has me blushing and kicking my feet. WOW.

[@hnc52]

Stunning and beautiful. I heart Josh O'Connor.

[@Morgan-wz6fj]

This was preformed so well, I couldn’t stop watching from the moment it started to the Moment it ended.

[@marianabobadilla1872]

This gave me chills and I've always disliked the experience of theater, yet I couldn't stop watching it. This is amazing.

[@StefWriter]

Oh wow! I remember watching this on TV! So cool to see him becoming a movie star now!

[@torijwilcox]

Wow. Absolutely mesmerizing and genuine. This felt viscerally real. They reimaged such a classic scene in such a grounded and in depth way. Blown away.

[@judithbattershill1285]

I have never gotten tired of this.

[@NationalTheatre]

I could watch Josh and Jessie over and over!

[@user-nf3fo5rl2m]

This is so beautiful it hurts

[@kaletaburruto5779]

Found this to help my daughter understand the play... have watched the whole thing now. It's so beautiful... not like any other interpretation. And we will watch again and again and again.

[@TylerDawnRosenquist]

Well, that was just glorious. Well done. So genuine.

[@dominiqueeden]

So sweet and innocent. Totally worth me sobbing all over my keyboard.

[@thyparacosm5248]

wait... why do i feel butterflies in my stomach watching their performance...

[@voulafisentzidis8830]

This is glorious. Thanks for sharing.

[@binz0709]

Gorgeous work by the actors. I felt every word!

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

So Beautiful...so touching....

[@pat.path-t1846]

Wonderful, beautiful.

[@hollywooddarling]

I've not had the opportunity to see R+J on stage but i've seen all the film adaptations (including adaptations like West Side Story) and this is by far my favourite in terms of chemistry and believability in the romance. It's wild how the two actors are twice the age Romeo and Juliet should be but their chemistry is so palpable it just sweeps you away with their romance.

[@Bellandora]

Wow! This was absolutely incredible!

[@TaylorCastro]

By far the best reading of this scene I have ever seen wow

[@percytaylorsversion22]

JOSH DOING SHAKESPEARE XJDJSKKDKF

[@MarcoAGJ]

I think this kind of approach works better on film than any other because it doesn't rely on over-the-top acting from real-life theater sort of acting.

[@Sun.Shine-]

Josh 😍 This looks so great 👏👏👏

[@GypsyInFenra]

Never seen her before but she's fantastic!

[@kittycatmeowmoew]

i understood everything EVERYTHING thats a first for me this was sooo good

[@EBrown-cr1gr]

I have loved this man since Gods Own Country and I’ve loved him harder with each performance since.

[@user-mp1ds5dl6v]

Beautifully done

[@MissPerriwinkle]

josh !!!!!!!

[@IggyPuff888]

This is beautiful.

[@shaelunamidnight3585]

This was beautiful

[@nobodyhere-et3pk]

Astonishing, as always

[@buddypvaz124]

Brilliant and profoundly beautiful

[@darumadaruma8801]

Lovely, just lovely.

[@francescaromanagarroni6524]

Amazing!!!

[@luciavitale5903]

Grazie!!

[@brianeduardo1234]

Jessie Buckley can do anything- wonderful intelligence

[@kevinryan4857]

GORGEOUS ❤️

[@TheCarlScharnberg]

Love it.

[@corean3polar]

That was pretty amazing

[@rb1691]

My folks got me the soundtrack of the 1968 version including dialogue for Christmas that year. On vinyl. Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. I find segments in my head verbatim these 60+ years later. The words of the Bard are immortal. This was and is a good version. To read of people who "get" it is like a dozen "watching it for the first time" uploads.

[@kimberlycaimbre8054]

So beautiful and sincere

[@irenebianchi5088]

How beautifully done, they are amazing

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Subscribed and watched the entire movie. Really amazing.

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you for subscribing! Hope you enjoy watching lots of amazing theatre.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

@@NationalTheatre I think your classics selection will keep me busy for a while

[@vishakhachaudhary9546]

They talk in poetry. I like that.

[@sentimental3187]

oh my goodness....why do i feel so warm and full in my heart gosh im blushingg >

[@ides1959]

Gorgeous.

[@Saigeee333]

Where can I watch the full recording of this play? Amazing actors

[@Robinson8491]

Awesome. This should be a movie

[@NationalTheatre]

It is already :) The film is streaming on ntathome.com

[@voulafisentzidis8830]

I'd love to buy on DVD. Will it be available at some stage?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Josh O’Connor is so beautiful Omg brb blushing.

[@annerouyer7810]

A director of the RSC explained to me once that Juliet is supposed to be 13/14 and Romeo just 15/16 and my reading of the play changed forever. Very few productions follow this directive. I love that this adheres very closely to it.

[@123haninhk]

Ooooohhhhh 😍

[@JWP452]

Still, nothing is true to young impulsive love like the Zefferelli masterpiece.

[@channingbloom7125]

It’s strange and funny that to me, I’ve never seen a version of the balcony scene like this. It feels old school yet very modern at the same time. Like two adults rather than kids are trying find each other. The acting seriously is spot on. All with love for this scene.

[@user-kp2td4cq5f]

going to Verona Sunday 😃

[@irenebianchi5088]

Only the British can act like this, they are real on stage, no acting at all. Bravo

[@caitmclaughlin5197]

Jessie Buckley is Irish. ;)

[@Xanadu2025]

I want to see it all!

[@NationalTheatre]

You can! ntathome.com

[@Xanadu2025]

@@NationalTheatre Of course now I see. Thanks!

[@stephanieneylon5156]

Go Jessie Buckley 🇮🇪😀

[@taylor11111]

Okay but he’s so dreamy.

[@daniellebelisle2446]

Omg so romantic and Josh just woooo, sigh.

[@sounithtravongsaphay8129]

Perfection! Will it be possible to stream in Canada soon?

[@NationalTheatre]

It is available! ntathome.com

[@TableReads07]

Wow

[@zog6243]

❤️❤️❤️

[@barbarahourigan8462]

❤️❤️

[@taylorkenyon1447]

Thia performance of this scene made why more sense then reading it. Both actors did a great job!

[@l.a.3479]

*this, way

[@jessicabhadreshwar3277]

I'm sorry, but I can't unsee Josh O'Connor as Elton in Emma... He makes a good Romeo though.

[@shreyabirthare374]

We are so eager to watch this in India, @National Theatre, pls release it on KZbin 🙏

[@NationalTheatre]

It's available in India on ntathome.com to watch :)

[@daminkim0703]

🤩

[@brandonburrell8517]

Did I miss this? 😤

[@bondfool]

Oh my God, Romeo and Juliet as human beings!