Additional auditions will be held on Monday, October 23 for three supernumerary roles: a "corporate big-business type" to play Lord Montague, a "small, birdlike" woman to play Lady Montague, and someone with "access to large emotions" to play Lady Capulet.

Judge's production (originally done at Los Angeles Opera) is set in a wealthy mid-19th-century milieu — "because that's what I hear," says the English director. "It's absolutely faithful to the music, which is intensely Victorian, and has a big ballroom sweep."

"Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is NOT a tragedy, it's a comedy that goes wrong," Judge declares. "It's all bad luck. Actually, if you play the vitality, the comedy and the fun of this relationship, plus the joy of youth, then it's even more poignant."