Romeo and Juliet Opens with Viola on Stage

Romeo and Juliet opens before a packed audience at the Rose Theatre. When the actor playing Juliet fails to appear, Viola de Lesseps steps onto the stage and takes the role herself. The performance continues despite the risk of punishment, with William Shakespeare playing Romeo opposite her before the London crowd. The play reaches its climax just as Lord Wessex arrives and recognizes Viola. Edmund Tilney moves to enforce the law against women performing on stage. Before he can stop the production, Queen Elizabeth intervenes. Declaring that Juliet is in fact "Thomas Kent," she publicly shields Viola and allows the performance to stand. The play concludes to thunderous applause.