Picture the scene… It’s 1996 and a gaggle of girlfriends are about to go to the cinema on their own for the VERY first time – without parental supervision! 

The girls in question: a never-been-kissed 11 year old (me), my cousin and our best mates. We’re about to see Leonardo DiCaprio – also for the VERY first time. 

OMG!

Little did I know, as I fell madly in love with that film, that my relationship with Baz Luhrmann’s masterpiece would endure 20 years. 

Now picture this… It’s 2016, I’ve lost count of the people I’ve kissed (oops!) I’ve had my fair share of infatuations, a whole lot of loves and weaved my way through life’s trials and tribulations. 

And I’m off to see Romeo & Juliet for the umpteenth time, with one of my girlfriends, Sarah… This time around, we’re a whole lot more experienced in this thing called LOVE.

As we enter the picturesque setting for our mate date that evening, St Mary’s Church tucked away on York Street – we gasp at how beautiful everything looks. Even if you’ve never seen Romeo & Juliet, the way the venue has been decked out alone is enough to impress!

Grabbing our tickets from a smiling Hawaiian-shirted attendant, we make our way downstairs to the bar, raid the pick ‘n’ mix, grab some popcorn (sweet & salty), pop open a bottle of prosecco and a couple of ice-cold G&Ts to quench our thirst! It’s a heatwave don’t you know! 

When it’s time, we make our way upstairs to take our very comfy seats.

“Two households both alike in dignity, In fair Verona where we lay our scene. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”

I don’t want to say too much about Backyard Cinema’s Romeo & Juliet screening, as not to ruin this for anyone still wishing to experience it for themselves, but OH MY! Once again, I was swept away. 

The music*: Garbage, Radiohead, Des’ree, The Cardigans, The Wannadies, Mozart and Wagner.

The cinematography, pace, staccato editing, and sheer timelessness of it all.

The acting and pure chemistry.

The lust. The love. The heartache. 

I realised that, watching this all over again, my unrealistic expectations of love were probably well and truly cemented into my 11 year old heart after watching this very film. I’m a romantic – I can’t help it.

And I can assure you that there was barely a dry eye in the whole church throughout the evening. It was moving and magnificent. I would even go as far as to say it was one of – if not – THE BEST cinema experience I have ever had.

Thank you,Backyard Cinema.

** Backyard Cinema puts on a whole host of different music and film events all year round. Take a look at their website to buy tickets. 

Check out more info about their music film festival in Camden, currently showing the likes of Bob Marley, The Beastie Boys, Kurt Cobain, The Beatles, The Blues Bros, Ray Charles and Prince documentary films.** 

Listen to the Romeo & Juliet film soundtrack Spotify playlist.

Photography © Lucie Kerley