Star-crossed lovers perform under the stars at Delaware Shakespeare Festival

More than 100 spectators gathered on the lawn behind the Rockwood Mansion with picnic baskets, folding chairs and plenty of bug spray for the second night of the sixth annual Delaware Shakespeare Festival.

Gray clouds gathered overhead during the performance, but the rain held off until after the play, which tells the story of Romeo and Juliet, ill-fated lovers from feuding families who take drastic measures to be together.

Unpredictable weather and hungry mosquitoes are occupational hazards of watching Shakespeare outside, but it was worth it to see such a beautiful play, said Barbara Harbin of Claymont.

“Four hundred years later, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ still has a message for today: love life and don’t sweat the small stuff,” she said.

Performances will continue on July 30 and 31, August 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. A family night performance will be held at 6 p.m. on August 3.