Couplets at the Globe

Hokianga-born actor Rawiri Paratene, well-known for his role as Koro Apirana in Niki Caro’s Whale Rider, is Friar Lawrence in a London Shakespeare’s Globe presentation of Romeo and Juliet, the first New Zealander to act in a major production at the iconic theatre. Paratene returns to the Globe after taking part in our International Actors Fellowship in 2007. Of his role as the Friar, Paratene explains: “I’m consciously trying to lighten my posture and the frame of mind of the character, which feeds into the fact that the Friar is incredible positive. If I’m a Franciscan friar, my first duty is to do good for the community, and what is ailing in this community is the rancour between the two households.” Romeo and Juliet runs through 23 August.