Shakespeare in spiffy cruisewear

CAN an upscale seaside development a la Sentosa Cove be the setting of the world's most famous love story?

Instead of the stately mansions and courtyards of the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet staged by Toy Factory Productions will be set on a scenic pier with luxury yachts and sailboats. Instead of heavy gowns and fitting doublets, the Capulets and Montagues will be decked out in sleek, clean-lined cruisewear.

Toy Factory thinks that staging the 16th-century romance in a chic, contemporary setting would attract a younger generation of audiences to give Shakespeare a chance. Parts of the text have also been set to music - anything from R&B to Broadway-style - to get feet tapping.