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Act I
The Market Square
The city of Verona is split by a feud between the Montague and Capulet families. Romeo, a young Montague, is paying court to Rosaline but she rejects his advances. An encounter between the retainers of the rival families turns into a brawl. Benvolio tries to pacify his followers, the Montagues, but Tybalt encourages the Capulets. Mercutio, who is friendly with both families, joins in cheerfully on both sides. The quarrel is interrupted by the arrival of the Prince of Verona and peace is temporarily restored.
Juliet's Anteroom
Juliet is playing with her companions and her Nurse. Her parents, Lord and Lady Capulet, and Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, arrive. Juliet is introduced to Paris, a young man whom her parents have chosen to be her husband and who has brought a wedding dress as a gift.
Outside the Capulet House
The Capulet family members welcome their guests to the ball; Lord Capulet invites Mercutio and his friends to join them. Romeo is dismayed by another rejection from Rosaline, and Mercutio and his friends mock the discomforting effects of love and persuade Romeo to accompany them to the ball in disguise.
The Ball
Tybalt leads the dancing with Lady Capulet, and the whole assembly celebrates its solidarity against the Montagues. Juliet enters and performs a betrothal duet with Paris. Romeo enters with Mercutio and Benvolio and they join in the dance. At the first touch of their hands, Romeo and Juliet fall in love. Romeo is recognised and Tybalt tries to throw him out but Lord Capulet intervenes. All join in a final Wheel of Fortune dance.
The Capulet's Garden
Romeo is hiding outside in the Capulet's garden. Mercutio and Benvolio come in search of him but Tybalt's arrival disturbs them. As Juliet comes out into the garden Romeo emerges and they pledge their love for each other.
Act II
The Market Square
Romeo is waiting for news from Juliet. Juliet's nurse has a letter for Romeo but she cannot find him. Mercutio and Benvolio tease them both. The square fills up with market crowds, acrobats and entertainers. The Nurse finally finds Romeo and delivers the letter. Romeo reads that Juliet has arranged for Friar Lawrence to marry them secretly in his chapel.
A Chapel
Romeo is waiting in the chapel. Juliet arrives and the two lovers are married by Friar Lawrence.
The Market Square
The rival factions vie with each other in displays of dancing. Mercutio and Benvolio enter followed by Tybalt who is angrily looking for Romeo. He tries to provoke Romeo to fight and, when Romeo refuses, accuses him of effeminacy. At this insult Mercutio challenges Tybalt. He jokes as they fight but Tybalt is serious: a knife flashes and the revellers find that Mercutio has been killed. The Montagues force a sword into Romeo's hand and he fights with Tybalt and kills him. The Prince arrives with Juliet, who finds that her new husband has become her cousin's murderer. Romeo is condemned to leave next morning for exile in Mantua.
Juliet's bedroom
While Lord and Lady Capulet discuss with Paris his marriage to Juliet, she sits in her room filled with dread. Romeo steals in by the window and their marriage is consummated. Day breaks and he must leave for Mantua. Juliet's family return and force her to prepare for her wedding to Paris. Juliet, in despair, tries to find the courage to kill herself, but the memory of her marriage to Romeo inspires her to seek the help of Friar Lawrence.
Act III
A Chapel
Juliet runs to Friar Lawrence for advice but finds Paris discussing the wedding. Friar Lawrence gets rid of Paris and explains to Juliet a way out of her predicament. She is to drink a potion which will send her into a deep sleep. Thinking her dead, her parents will place her in the family crypt. Meanwhile, Friar John will have warned Romeo in Mantua and he will return at night to carry her away when she awakes. Juliet foresees herself reunited with Romeo.
Juliet's Bedroom
Juliet pretends to agree to be married to Paris. Left alone, she is filled with doubts. Should she choose suicide using Tybalt's dagger thereby preserving the family honour, or follow the advice to live for love? Finally she decides to drink the potion.
Juliet's Anteroom
Paris arrives to greet Juliet with his marriage retinue of musicians and dancers. But when her family try to wake her she appears to be dead. The wedding turns into a funeral. Benvolio hurries away to tell Romeo.
The Road to Mantua
On the way to Mantua with Friar Lawrence's letter to Romeo, Friar John is attacked, robbed and killed.
Mantua
Ignorant of all that has happened in Verona since he left, Romeo dreams of Juliet. He is woken by Benvolio bringing news of Juliet's apparent death. Seized with despair, he leaves for Verona.
The Capulet Crypt
Juliet is laid to rest in the Capulet crypt. When the mourners have gone, Romeo steals in to say farewell. He finds Paris there and kills him, then distracted by grief, he poisons himself. Juliet wakes to find him dead beside her and kills herself.
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