With simmering gangland rivalries, star-crossed lovers and scenes of gritty violence, it’s not surprising a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet hopes to attract audiences by playing up the comparisons to a certain Irish TV hit.

“It’s a bit like Romeo and Juliet meets Love/Hate,” says director Mary Moynihan of the contemporary production, which features an industrial wasteland inspired set design. Giving the show an added edge is the fact that the actors are all final-year students from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Rathmines (including Robert Thompson and Laura Brady, above) so chances are some of them will be the next generation of Irish stage and screen. Romeo and Juliet runs from February 27th to March 2nd. Tickets €10-15. Bookings: 01-896 2461.