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TALL, dark and handsome are three words that readily describe the 27-year-old actor, Marcel Meyer, but there are far more adjectives that could be used as well.

Charming, talented, funny and perhaps, as his latest role in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet would suggest, even a little romantic.

Originally from Pretoria, Marcel moved to Cape Town after achieving his BTech degree in Musical Theatre at the Pretoria Technikon. Like many great actors, he knew from the time he was a young boy that he was meant for a life on the stage.

But whether he was meant for it or not, breaking into the industry was no easy task.

"There are a lot of talented actors emerging every day, with only a small number of roles available," says Marcel.

Despite the challenges he continued to audition and found work in various productions around the country.

His first big break came with his role as Don John in the South African production of Shakespeare?s much-loved romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Fred Abrahamse.

Despite the tricky dialogue, Marcel says that working in a Shakespearean production is actually easier than working on any other show.

"Shakespeare dictated exactly what he wanted from his actors," says Marcel. "It is always a privilege to work for the greatest playwright that ever existed.

"As an actor it also stretches your muscles verbally, and physically, because every expression and movement is big and exaggerated."

Marcel's love of Shakespeare is evident by the number of well known Shakespeare plays appearing on his extensive CV.

These include Hamlet, which allowed him to travel with the World Shakespeare Company in 2006, Macbeth and now the lead role in Romeo and Juliet.

Hot on the heels of his brilliant portrayal of a pretty but confused cowboy from a Voortrekker camp in the saucy comedy Bangbroek Mountain, Marcel swops his Stetson for a sword and takes on the role of the love-sick Romeo.

Unlike the usual softer adaptations of the play, this production sees the story of Romeo and Juliet told in the way it was first intended - with an edge.

"Romeo and Juliet is not just a tragic romance," says Marcel. "It is a dark and violent story and the characters have a lot of depth.

"Juliet, for instance, was not a timid young girl. She had guts and, in fact, she was the real decision maker of the two."

The show takes place on a simple yet elegant and cleverly designed stage, set amongst the trees and under the stars in the Open-Air Theatre at Maynardville Park.

An eerie opening scene sets the tone for the play, and from there the audience is taken on a rollercoaster of emotion.

Working once again with director Fred Abrahamse, Marcel teams up with a superb cast of well known local actors including the show's lovely leading lady, Rolanda Marais from MNet's Binnelanders.

Marcel and Rolanda sizzle on stage as the starstruck lovers fighting for their love, amid violence and family feuds.

The setting is so intimate that one cannot help but feel drawn into each scene, so much so that it almost feels intrusive to be present during the bedroom scenes.

Though serious and harsh at times, there are some memorable funny moments as well, and overall it is a look at Romeo and Juliet one must experience for oneself.

The show runs until Saturday, 17 February at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in Wynberg at 20:15 nightly.

Tickets are two-for-the-price-of-one at R85 or R100. Book through Computicket outlets or www.computicket.com or phone Artscape Dial-a-Seat on (021) 421-7695. Pack a picnic hamper, or pre-order one from the Picnic Company on (021)706-8470.

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