Scarlett Johnson, former EastEnders star, will play Juliet Capulet in this year’s open air production of Romeo and Juliet, the Newsletter can reveal.

The news comes just two weeks after it was announced Bruno Langley will star as Romeo Montague in Shakespeare’s most legendary tragedy.

The couple, both 22, will be taking to the stage as the infamous star-crossed lovers at the Stafford Festival Shakespeare in June and July.

Stephen Freeman, producer and casting director, said: "I am delighted to have both Scarlett and Bruno on board for this year’s Stafford Festival Shakespeare Production.

"Scarlett’s talent and youthful beauty overwhelmed both the director and myself when she auditioned for the role of Juliet. She played the role perfectly depicting her innocence and yet still allowing her cheekiness to shine through.

"I am really excited about the production and believe that Bruno and Scarlett’s portrayal and interaction of the star-crossed lovers will be amazing.

"At 22, they are both still young, but the talent that exudes their pores is phenomenal and I am sure that the open air venue will make this obvious to audience members."

Scarlett Johnson was made famous when she joined the BBC 1 soap as Vicki Fowler - the lovechild of Dirty Den and Michelle Fowler - after bring spotted by an agent whilst acting in a school play.

She joined the show at 17 and juggled filming scenes for the soap with studying for her A-levels.

The role of Vicki Fowler was originally played by Samantha Leigh Martin who left the soap in 1995 with her mother, Michelle, for a new life in the USA.

Scarlett Johnson brought Vicki back to the soap in January 2003 and she was involved in dramatic storylines, including finding out her father was alive, exposing the affair between her half-brother Dennis Rickman and adoptive half-sister Sharon Watts, having an abortion following a one-night stand, having a fling with another character and tempting him back to his gambling addiction as well as having an affair with her 40-year-old lecturer.

Scarlett dramatically left the soap in January with her adoptive half-sister after overhearing Den admit he would never love her as much as Sharon.

In addition to her TV role, Scarlett has also appeared on-stage as Daisy in Daisy Miller, Little Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard in Under Milk Wood at the National Theatre and La Boheme at the Royal Albert Hall. Other theatre performances include: Lord of the Flies, Ernie, Our Day Out, Cabaret and Guys and Dolls.

Scarlett also appeared at The Royal Albert Hall in 1997 when she joined celebrations for Yehudi Menhuin’s 80th birthday concert.

Stephen Freeman said although the leading names of Scarlett and Bruno have been announced, casting of other names for the production is yet to be revealed.

"The director and myself have seen a number of actors that will be suitable for certain roles. We just need to complete the negotiations now and will look to announce the remaining Stafford Festival Shakespeare cast members as soon as we can.

"We have decided to take a traditional approach for the show and all costume designs and stage concepts have looked towards developing a theme which depicts elements from the Italian Renaissance period.

"So audience members can expect long flowing gowns for Juliet and the archetypal balcony for the infamous scene."

Bruno, made famous by his role in Coronation Street, was witness to similar dramatic roles as Scarlett and received high acclaim for playing the first on-screen gay character Todd Grimshaw in the ITV show.

Tickets for Romeo and Juliet which runs from Thursday June 30–Saturday July 16 at Stafford Castle are on sale now from Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Box Office on 01785 254653.

© Staffordshire Newsletter, 15/4/05

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