Sunderland dance company to tell a different Romeo and Juliet story
New outdoor production will explore love, identity and division through the experiences of Gypsy and Traveller communities
A Sunderland-based dance and performance company is developing a new outdoor production inspired by Romeo and Juliet after securing support from a national arts funding programme.
Southpaw Company, based at Sheepfolds Stables, has been named as one of Without Walls’ Blueprint artists for 2026, receiving research and development funding to create Tommy & Teresa – a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s tragedy, co-created with Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The production, being developed in partnership with West Yorkshire’s Spin Arts and Gypsy rapper Big Deli, will tell the story of two young people growing up in neighbouring but very different communities – a council estate and a Traveller site. Using the familiar framework of Romeo and Juliet, it will explore social division, family conflict and cultural expectations through dance, music and spoken word.
Southpaw has built a national reputation for large-scale outdoor performances that combine choreography with striking visual storytelling. Its previous collaborations with Without Walls include Faust, which toured nationally for five years following its 2010 premiere, as well as Carousel in 2015 and Icarus in 2018.
Artistic director Robby Graham said the funding would allow the company to develop a production rooted in genuine collaboration.
“We’re extremely grateful to Without Walls who give innovative companies like ours the research and development time to create productions which push boundaries and challenge perceptions.
“We’ll be co-creating the work with Gypsy and Traveller communities and building on long-standing relationships to ensure the work is rooted in lived experience and cultural integrity. We’re incredibly excited to see how Tommy & Teresa develops.”
Without Walls supports artists creating ambitious work for public spaces, with its Blueprint programme designed to give companies time to experiment and test new ideas before production.
Chief executive Ralph Kennedy said: “Artistic innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum, so Without Walls is committed to giving artists the time and space to take creative risks and test new ideas.
“Blueprint 2026 includes projects by established artists with a track record in making work for public space and rising talent stepping into the outdoor for the first time. We are proud to offer this support where diverse creators can dare to dream bigger and push the boundaries of their craft.”
Spin Arts has spent many years working alongside Gypsy and Traveller communities and will bring that experience to the project.
Director and creative producer Sarah Shead said: “Tommy & Teresa builds on those relationships, creating a contemporary retelling of a timeless story rooted in lived experience rather than assumption. We’re excited to be collaborating with Southpaw and Big Deli to create a bold new outdoor work that celebrates culture, challenges prejudice and invites audiences to see beyond stereotypes.”
Big Deli added: “Tommy & Teresa is a story of love, power and change. I hope to create a piece of work that is entertaining, emotionally engaging and encourages audiences to think differently about the communities and people featured in the story.”
The production is expected to tour outdoor venues across the UK during 2027 and 2028.