A comic version of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays has been nominated for an Olivier award. The actor, comedian and dancer, Ben Duke, came up with the idea of Juliet and Romeo, which had a successful run in Battersea’s Arts Centre this spring. Ben’s theatre company, Lost Dog, will be presenting their interpretation through dance and drama. Ben and Solene Weinachter are the star crossed lovers. Juliet and Romeo explore what it is like to be young and have such great expectations of life, love and the future. Ben said: “I’ve allowed myself to imagine an alternate version to Shakespeare’s original: in this work Juliet and Romeo have been together about 25 years and they are in something of a marital crisis. They love each other but sometimes they wish the other one were dead…the bloom of teenage romance has definitely faded but it still haunts them.’’ Lost Dog was formed in 2004 to create work using text, movement and music in which dance is framed by stories and characters. Ben has performed with Probe, Hofesh Shechter Company, The Gate Theatre, The National Theatre of Scotland, Glyndebourne Opera and Punchdrunk. The funny yet poignant show is at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall, Marlborough on November 4.