The British touring group TNT Theater has brought another Shakespeare classic to China, staging Romeo and Juliet at the Chaoyang Nine Theater. While the romantic tragedy often brings tears to the eyes of the audience, the actors also know how to get a few laughs.

TNT stage their award winning Romeo and Juliet in Beijing as part of the celebration of Shakespeare's 450th Anniversary this year. Tuesday night saw a packed house, but Tour Manager Liu Tingting says her company was hesitant about bringing the British theater group to China,

"This is a full English language play and the characters are very diverse. In the beginning we were worried how the audience would take this but through this experience we learned that many audience members know TNT Theater really well. There is a fan base for them. They do their homework and research before watching the play. The audience members changed a lot througout the years," Liu Tingting said.

Whether it's in English or Chinese, the universal theme of love that forms the backbone of the story is something everyone can relate to.

"It's just about two people in love and it doesn't matter it's based in Verona Italy, it could be placed in China. I'm sure Chinese audiences understand the story. I'm sure you have your own methaphors for love; to fight for that love," Natey Jones, actor who played "Romeo," said.

TNT Theater's Romeo and Juliet

The show features simple stage design, and the TNT version of this tale of forbidden love retains the comedy of the playwright's original text. Most versions of Romeo and Juliet weed out the funny parts to emphasize the play's tragic side. But the TNT version is considered the nearest one in flavor to Shakespeare's original script.

"That's the thing with Shakespeare, everytime you do it, there's something new in his language. It's just that when I was studying at school, I never quite realized what a genius he was. I think he wrote for actors. You don't necessarily discover what he means until you get up and act it," Geogie Ashworth, actress who played "Juliet," said.

Audience members are eager to watch the play, and some have traveled a long way to be here.

"I'm a big fan of Shakespeare, I traveled from Tianjin to watch this play. I'm really excited!" udience member Cao Wenbing said.

"Famous pieces like this can last forever and influence a lot of people around the world. We have a lot of similarities in Chinese literature too things like honor, loyalty and love," audience member Duan Yan said.

The company's style is to incorporate all kinds of performing arts. TNT productions chooses its ensemble cast by the actor's ability to cross the disciplines of theater, music and dance. As part of it's world tour, the Romeo and Juliet cast will travel to 5 more cities in China.

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