Dome Press to publish Shakespearean novelisation Juliet and Romeo

The Dome Press has signed Juliet and Romeo, described as an old story told in an "entirely new way", putting Juliet at the centre.

The publisher bought world English language rights to David Hewson's Shakespearean novelisation from Alice Lutyens at Curtis Brown.

Hewson has written several adaptations of Shakespeare for Audible, including Romeo and Juliet which was read by Richard Armitage and inspired this novel.

Rebecca Lloyd, publisher at The Dome Press, said: "Juliet and Romeo tells an old story in an entirely new way, bringing it to a whole new audience. Funny as well as tragic, with a Juliet at the centre with whom modern women can relate, and with a real twist in the tail, I loved it and am very excited to be the publisher.”

Hewson added: “This is Richard’s version and more — rewritten as a historical tragedy set in the real Verona of 1499 with twists Shakespeare may have hinted at but never wrote. I can’t wait.”

Juliet and Romeo will be published in May 2018.