An innovative staging of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" kicked off a new season at the Juliusz Słowacki Theater in Cracow.

Directed by Marcin Hycnar, the Shakespeare classic opened Oct. 4 at the theater's Duża (Large) Stage. The titular roles are played by up-and-coming actors Ewa Jakubowicz, a graduate of the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, and Marcin Wojciechowski, still a student of the Academy for the Dramatic Arts in Cracow. Hycnar wants his version of the play to be a bridge between Shakespeare 's time and the present day. Accordingly, the actors change between two sets of costumes, one inspired by the Elizabethan era and one made up of contemporary clothes. The time-bridge concept is also highlighted by a score that blends the music of the 16th century with contemporary sounds. Hycnar's take on the drama differs slightly from what audiences have been used to seeing so far. The director says that "Romeo and Juliet" is usually seen as a depiction of mythical, romantic love that ends tragically. "I think it contains far morę subjects and complicated personalities that deserve morę atte