West Side Story Plot

West side story is an American musical inspired by the story 'Romeo and Juliet'which was written by William Shakespeare. It is a story about the rivalry between two street gangs with different ethnic backgrounds called the Jets and the Sharks. The Sharks are from Puerto Rico and the Jets are a Caucasian gang. It explores the theme of racism between two gangs, love and hatred. It is set in the upper west side of New York in the mid 1950's. As a book it was written by Arthur Laurents. 

Summary - Tony, a former Jets gang member and best friends with the leader of the Jets falls in love with the younger sister of the Sharks leader Maria. As the musical progresses the Sharks and the Jets schedule a fight using daggers; Riff the leader of the Jets gets killed by Bernardo the head of the Sharks. In outrage Tony kills Bernardo leaving both groups are left without leaders. Maria finds out about her brothers death from chino who then goes to look for him with his gun but her love for Tony is stronger. Anita, Bernardos lover is shocked that Maria cares more for Tony than her own brother and begins to shout at her. Eventually Anita sees her passionate love for to Tony and agrees to meet him at the drug store but as she arrives the jets taunt her her until it escalates into rape, after this she is so angry and tells Tony that Maria is dead. Tony goes to Chino and asks him to shoot him as he is devastated by the news. He then sees Maria for a brief second but is then shot. Tony then dies in Maria's arms. The jets are furious with the lost of another gang member and goes to attack the Sharks but Maria grabs the gun and threatens to kill everyone  but then drops the gun and cries over Tony's body. The feud is then declared over and Tony is carried away. 

Full Character List: Maria, Tony, Riff, Anita, Bernardo, Schrank, Doc, Krupke, Ice, Chino, Baby John, Graziella, Velma, Action, Arab, Snow Boy, Tiger, Joy Boy, Big Deal, Mouth Piece, Gees Tar, Anybody, Peper, Indio, Juana, Loco, Roco, Luis, Toro, Del Campo, Chile, Consuelo, Rosalia and Francisca. 

Romeo and Juliet Plot

The Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story set in the fourteenth/fifteenth century in Verona and Mantua which are cities in northern Italy written by William Shakespeare. This famous story is about two star crossed lovers whose deaths end a hateful and loathing feud between the two families. It was first published as an incomplete edition in 1597, a later copy was then released in 1599.

Summary - There are two families who despise one another and have a deep feud, the Montague's (Romeo's family) and the Capulets (Juliet's family). One night the Capulets hold a party which the Montagues sneak into as masquers. When Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time they instantly fall in love. Knowing that their love is forbidden they decided to get married in secret. The night before the wedding Romeo get into a fight and kills Juliets cousin Tybalt. Romeo is then forced to leave the city and will be sentenced to death if he ever returns, however this meant that he had to leave Juliet the love of his life behind. After Juliet is told the news that she must marry Paris her betrothed she does everything she can to avoid this unwanted marriage, she finally gives in due to her plan to fake her death so she can be with Romeo. Juliet takes a sleeping potion and her parents thinks she's dead. Romeo not knowing of her plan goes to see her in the tomb where she layed out. Romeo then kills himself thinkin that Juliet is dead. Shortly after Romeos death Juliet wakes up to find Remeo lying dead on the floor so then kills herself. When both the families find out that they both killed themselves to be with each other they decide to end the feud and morn their loses together. 

Full Character List: Romeo, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, Mercutio, The Nurse, Tybalt, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Montague, Lady Montague, Paris, Benvolio, Prince Escalus, Friar John, Balthasar, Sampson, Gregory, Abraham, The Apothecary, Peter, Rosaline and The Chorus. 

First thoughts - Week 1

We were split into two groups to discuss what we already knew about 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'West Side Story', we used a spider diagram to present our thoughts!