A tale of forbidden love, cultural intolerance, and segregated communities is to be played out in the city as Romeo and Juliet is transported to Bradford.

The play, part of this year's Bradford Festival, will have a mixed cast with Juliet being from a South Asian background and Romeo from a white family.

And the production team behind a new interpretation of the Shakespearean tragedy has been overwhelmed by the response to open auditions.

Angela Marquis of ACT, The Priestley's in-house theatre company, said the turnout had been "tremendous" and they would probably be able to fill most of the roles just from one audition.

She admitted that drama groups usually had problems finding South Asian actors to take part in theatrical productions.

She said: "It was very strange and we were very pleased. More than 40 people turned up to audition. We thought there would be some response but not as much as this."

Project director Sarah Applewhite said: "The standard was very high and, judging from the calibre of actors, we are going to have a very large cast. A lot of talented, young, and energetic people took part, and it's going to be a case of turning people away rather than trying to find actors."

ACT will be collaborating with South Asian Arts Organisation Kala Sangam to present the play.

Starting with an arranged marriage the play tells a tale of forbidden love set against a backdrop of a divided society.

Angela said: "The play's themes of cultural intolerance, escalating violence and segregated communities have a huge resonance within contemporary Bradford.

"The Shakespearean language will be kept but references to places will be changed. Romeo and Juliet has been transported to Los Angeles so why not Bradford." The two and half hour long production will fuse Asian and western dance, music and theatre to create a unique experience for the audience and actors.

Ajit Singh, programme manager for Kala Sangam said: "We have done a lot of work in the community, in particular the youth groups of South Asian origin.

"We need to build up the real performers of the future so that other people can come forward to say 'I would like to be part of this'."

Performances will take place on Main Stage at The Priestley and run from July 10 to 15.

Further information is available from Angela Marquis on (01423) 777971 or Sarah Applewhite on 07729 495200.