Two well-known soap actors have arrived in Stafford ready to be transformed into star cross'd lovers.

Bruno Langley and Scarlett Johnson are taking the lead roles in this summer's Romeo and Juliet production and are gearing up for the start of rehearsals on Monday (June 6).

Bruno, who is best known for his role as Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street, and Scarlett, who played Vicki Fowler in Eastenders, now have less than a month before they take the stage at Stafford Castle for the opening night on June 30.

The duo, who will meet the rest of the cast on Sunday for a pre-rehearsal party, will make Stafford their home for the next five weeks.

It is the first time 22-year-old Bruno has been involved in live professional theatre but he said he was relishing the opportunity.

He said: "I did a lot of amateur theatre when I was younger but certainly nothing on this kind of professional level.

"I realised that to become a better actor, I should do some theatre roles and this is virtually as good as it gets."

Bruno's excitement was shared by 20-year-old Scarlett who said she would be preforming Shakespeare for the first time.

"This is just the dream role really," she said.

"I've never done a Shakespeare play before either, so this role is really going to stretch me. But I can't wait Ñ I am really, very excited about it," she added.

Tickets for the production, which runs from June 30 until July 16, are on sale now from Stafford Gatehouse box office on 01785 254 653.

© Express & Star Newspaper, 19/6/05

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