 In 1935 , under Albery 's management , John Gielgud staged Romeo and Juliet at the New Theatre , co @-@ starring with Peggy Ashcroft , Edith Evans and Olivier . Gielgud had seen Olivier in Queen of Scots , spotted his potential , and now gave him a major step up in his career . For the first weeks of the run Gielgud played Mercutio and Olivier played Romeo , after which they exchanged roles . The production broke all box @-@ office records for the play , running for 189 performances . Olivier was enraged at the notices after the first night , which praised the virility of his performance but fiercely criticised his speaking of Shakespeare 's verse , contrasting it with his co @-@ star 's mastery of the poetry . The friendship between the two men was prickly , on Olivier 's side , for the rest of his life . 
 In 1935 , under Albery <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>management , John Gielgud staged Romeo and Juliet at the New Theatre , <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>co</mark></a> @-@ starring with Peggy Ashcroft , Edith Evans and Olivier . Gielgud <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> seen Olivier in Queen of Scots , spotted his potential , and now gave him a major step up in his career . For the first weeks of the run Gielgud played Mercutio and Olivier played Romeo , after which they exchanged roles . The production broke all box @-@ office records for the play , running for 189 performances . Olivier was enraged at the notices after the first night , which praised the virility of his performance but fiercely criticised his speaking of Shakespeare <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>verse , contrasting it with his co @-@ star <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>mastery of the poetry . The friendship between the two men was prickly , on Olivier <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>side , for the rest of his life . 
In 1935 , under Albery  management , John Gielgud staged Romeo and Juliet at da New Theatre , coed @-@ starring with Peggy Ashcroft , Edith Evans and Olivier . Gielgud done seen Olivier in Queen of Scots , spotted his potential , and now gave him a major step up in his career . For the first weeks of the run Gielgud played Mercutio and Olivier played Romeo , after which they exchanged roles . Tdaproduction broke all box @-@ office records for thdalay , running for 189 performances . Olivier was enraged at the notices after the first night , which praised thedarility of his performance but fiercely criticised his speaking of Shakespeare  verse , contrasting it wit his co @-@ star  mastery of the datry . The friendship between the two men was prickly , on Olivier  side , for the rest of his life .