If anyone doubts that the classic tragic story by William Shakespeare about two doomed young lovers from rival families cannot be turned into a
fun comedy than one needs to take a look at this TV filmed play made by SBT network in 1990. Gathered here are some of the funniest comics of the
period and successful singers/actors as well while recreating "Romeo and Juliet" with plenty of humored bits that makes fun of the play and inserts
some factual, cultural and political references from the early 1990's. And it works just fine, if you're a fan of the people involved with this adaptation and
enjoy their comedy acts.
It follows the known routine of the play, no need to expand myself about it but here's a small presentation of the unusual things to be seen:
Ronald Golias is Romeo while TV host Hebe Camargo is Juliet. Both play teens when in reality they were around 60+ years-old. That fact alone is good
enough for you to laugh about the whole thing. And while the story takes place in the Verona of 1500's recreated on stage, most of the jokes and the family rivalry
relates to then current situations such as Collor administration, the 1989 elections, the failed 1990 World Cup, and even singers Agnaldo Rayol and
Fábio Jr. Are "mocked" about their singing.
In between the troubled romance with many fights, duels and some musical moments, there's always the jokes and gags, such as Juliet's father
(Miele) always talking on rhymed verses, or her maid (Nair Bello, hilarious) always throwing some shade on Romeo. I won't say all the funny moments work
all too well, but what really captivates audiences when you see that particular ensemble (at the time some of them appeared on "Escolinha do Golias")
is that most of the cast members break character and laugh with no shame. Hebe and Nair can't control themselves at all, and it's hilarious seeing
their laughter as the story progresses; or even when Golias cusses after a mistake made. The funniest supporting character is Mayor Erundina (Geraldo Alves), a
spoof on São Paulo mayor at the time, as she tries to solve the conflicts she always goes by presenting herself and the known characteristics that made
her an important political name.
Hard to say if younger generations could find this funny as they won't get most of the jokes and it's also a slightly more innocent kind of comedy
if compared with everything that appeared later on. Easily available on the net and time and again Silvio Santos always brings back this on TV. Yet only
know that I managed to watch the whole thing and I was very entertained by this retelling of the most tragic love affair of all time. With this one, we
can laugh about everything. 8/10.
