The Bermuda High School’s cast of ten presented an outstanding performance of “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)”, a comedic twist on two Shakespearean tragedies, on May 31. The play, by Ann-Marie MacDonald, was under the direction of Ms Brough, a BHS English and Drama teacher.“Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)” is the story of an assistant professor at Queen’s University, Constance Ledbelly, played by Hailey Manuel. Apart from writing papers for another professor, she spends her time studying a document which she senses will unlock the secrets of Shakespeare’s tragedies ‘Othello’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Just when she is about to desert her profession due to frustration, she discovers herself transported into the scripts she has spent the majority of her time studying. She changes the course of both plays by saving Desdemona and Juliet from their tragic destinies, converting tragedy into comedy.This play was chosen not only because it is a funny and interesting twist on two traditional Shakespearean plays but because it makes Shakespeare more accessible to both the actors and the audience.“It encourages people to look at Shakespeare and the characters in his plays in a different way.” explained Ms Brough.This show was first produced by Nightwood Theatre at Toronto’s Annex Theatre in 1988. The comedy of Shakespeare gone askew, according to the author, “began with a joke”. Aside from putting a modern twist on two of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, the production includes direct quotes from Shakespeare. The play contains misunderstandings, mistaken identities and misplaced love. In addition, there are sword fights, love triangles and plenty of humour from transforming Romeo and Juliet and Othello into comedies that they only could have if a “fool” had interfered.“The ten students that make up the cast are dedicated and hard working.” said Ms Brough, “They’ve managed to work on this production while simultaneously preparing for exams, and in the case of two of my leads (Hailey Manuel and Emmerson Krebs), preparing for graduation.”Kiera Fields gave an outstanding performance as Juliet, with a laugh-out-loud response from the audience for her characterisation of Juliet. Lara Hetzel played her not-so-beloved husband, Romeo, and Hannah Schaefer played a wonderfully funny Nurse.Emerson Krebs played the rather arrogant, Professor Night, and Andrew Sussman was the treacherous Othello. Morgan Beckles portrayed the warrior-like Desdemona brilliantly.The audience noticeably enjoyed the humour of the play, and many students in attendance had the opportunity to enjoy Shakespeare from quite a different angle.