Cover for Romeo and Rosaline Juliet, drawn as red stage curtains. Front reads “Romeo + Rosaline”, the back of Romeo can be seen writing “Juliet”, and “Rosaline” has been crossed out. “Gabriella Wilde” is also written on the front. Mock reviews fill the back: “ “Alright, I guess…” - Romeo”, “ 5 stars - Benvoli-oh”, “ “Couldn’t have said it better myself!” - W. Shakespeare”, “ “Smart, witty and powerful” - G. Wilde”. The other characters line the edges of the back, staring at a hand in shock, anger, and embarrassment.
Romeo and Juliet
At the start of 2019, I completed work on a Romeo and Juliet project. This original, modern retelling utilised rhyme and humour that could encourage a wide range of readers to enjoy Shakespeare. Echoing the tale's theatrical roots, the character designs were heavily inspired by Punch and Judy puppets. 
Illustrations, text, composition, and typography by Gabriella Wilde.
© 2019 Gabriella Wilde
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[ Image Description: Cover for Romeo and Rosaline Juliet, drawn as red stage curtains. Front reads “Romeo + Rosaline”, the back of Romeo can be seen writing “Juliet”, and “Rosaline” has been crossed out.  “Gabriella Wilde” is also written on the front. Mock reviews fill the back: “ “Alright, I guess…” - Romeo”, “ 5 stars - Benvoli-oh”, “ “Couldn’t have said it better myself!” - W. Shakespeare”, “ “Smart, witty and powerful” - G. Wilde”. The other characters line the edges of the back, staring at a hand in shock, anger, and embarrassment. ]
Romeo and Juliet
Left: Romeo holds up a phone in one hand, making finger guns with the other. Text reads: “ “Juliet! My love, my light, I am your ONLY! (Please swipe right!) I know our families rage and fight, but will you be with me tonight?” “ Right: Juliet leans out of her window, face supported by her hands. Text reads: “ “Romeo! You silly fool!” But her pre-teen angst can’t help but drool. “How can we love? Where would we meet? Why must this rose smell so sweet?” “
Left: Rosaline stands in a diminishing spotlight. Text reads: “ “This forceful love, it makes me sick! That man’s no rose, he’s just a prick!” But Rosaline’s no longer in this story… Let’s leave her here and get more gory…” Right: Mercutio and Tybalt comically fighting. Text reads: “Montagues and Capulets are seen here fighting, as a result of the Capulets’ Romeo sighting. Unfazed, on the other side of town, a secret wedding is going down.”
Narrative
Mixed media illustration, using black biro, orange, black, and pink watercolours, orange coloured pencil, and digital painting, with a grey, textured, digitally painted background. On the left hand side, the pumpkin carriage is travelling down a path, pulled by 2 small mice. Text follows the shape of the path, reading: “Cinderella made her way to the ball, she had no excuses after all.” in a hand-drawn typeface. On the right hand side, is a close up of the pumpkin carriage. Cinderella is struggling to climb out of the carriage, covered in pumpkin gunk. The text reads: “When she arrived, the music was thumping, she could feel it as she squeezed out of her pumpkin.”
A girl in a yellow raincoat and wellies stands frozen in shock in front of a large, hairy creature with horns.
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