As part of the Festival UK '98 in Japan, The Royal Shakespeare Company will perform Romeo and Juliet in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in this summer. The first performance is set for the Tokyo Panasonic Globe on May 29.

The production, under the direction of Michael Attenborough, has enjoyed highly successful runs in London and Stratford and is currently undertaking an extensive three-month national tour of the U.K.

Attenborough, who is the RSC Principal Associate Director, has also directed the RSC productions of After Easter, The Herbal Bed and Pentecost.

This most recent incarnation Shakespeare's age-old vendetta between two Italian families has been updated to northern Italy before the First World War. Ray Fearon stars as Romeo, and Zoe Waites is Juliet. Other cast members include Jan Chappell as Lady Capulet, Nigel Clauzel as Tybalt, Richard Cordery as Friar Lawrence, David Lyon as Capulet, and Chook Sibtain as Mercutio.

The dates for the productions are as follows: Tokyo: May 29 - June 10
Panasonic Globe Tokyo, Tel: 03-3360-1121

Osaka: June 12-14
Kintetsu Theater, Tel: 06-771-1009

Nagoya : June 18-20
Aichi Arts Center, Tel: 052-971-5609

-- By Carter Witt
Japan Correspondent