Music & Lyrics / Producer: Max Martin
Book: David West Read
Director: Luke Sheppard
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Joyful Jukebox“
4 / 5
Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is a classic tragedy of love, loss and feuding families – the conflict-ridden storyline is not quite an encouraging love story, given that it ended in two teenage deaths, but an iconic tale nonetheless (would say spoiler alert, but it’s been 400+ years since it was first written!) But what if Juliet never died? What if she instead decided to live her best life, travel to Paris and find her inner feminist? That’s what the Bard’s wife hoped would happen, and when Anne has a will, then Anne Hathaway, to get the story she wanted told in this big, glitzy, jukebox delight.
It’s a brilliantly creative combination – Shakespeare and pop divas wouldn’t be the first things you would think to put together, but it completely works. The show begins with Shakespeare (Jay McGuiness) and his wife Anne (Lara Denning) at odds about the depressing ending of Romeo & Juliet, though he eventually agrees to give her control and let her write a happier, more positive ending. As they write, the story unfolds around them – Juliet (Gerardine Sacdalan) waking up beside Romeo (Liam Morris) and realising there’s more to life than to throw everything away over a boy she’s only known for a few days. Along with her best friends April (Lara Denning), May (Jordan Broatch) and nurse Angelique (Sandra Marvin), they set off for France, crashing the Renaissance ball thrown by the wealthy De Bois family. Cue hosts Francois (Kyle Cox), and his father Lance (Ranj Singh) becoming central to the plot due to Shakespeare’s inability to keep conflict and drama out of a storyline, much to Anne’s dismay!
& Juliet is perfectly poptastic – running through an impressive score of well known songs from the past 20 odd years, from Backstreet Boys to Britney, Katy Perry to Kelly Clarkson, it’s a brilliant mix of pop anthems woven humorously into the storyline. Francois’s (Cox) ‘It’s gonna be May’ line is a fantastic example of the silly, but humorous wittiness that is sprinkled in throughout the show. Each of the cast members get completely involved in each number, contributing to background vocals and fun dance routines that fill the stage. Jennifer Weber’s choreography, combined with Luke Sheppard’s slick direction means the entire show is full of energy, never wavering from the upbeat, feel-good vibe throughout.
Sacdalan is fabulous in the titular role of Juliet, her bubbly on stage persona infectiously likeable. Her vocals are just as impressive, completely wowing the audience with her talented voice even from the first few belted lines. McGuinness and Denning are a great double act, and provide lots of heart and humour as the puppet masters behind the new ending. Singh is an unexpected addition to the cast, and although his vocals were an enjoyable surprise, his questionable French accent starts to broach pantomime-esque acting, which doesn’t quite fit the tone of the rest of the show – though his scenes with Marvin are saved by their endearing chemistry, and her powerhouse vocals. Cox and Broatch are another likeable pair, both believable in their roles as shy and uncertain youngsters trying to figure out their lives, and it’s a joy to watch their progression both together and separately.
& Juliet – Since U Been Gone from the West End, there’s been a jukebox shaped hole on the musical theatre scene. Back touring Stronger and Larger Than Life, it’s safe to say this is an almost Perfect anthem filled musical that’s definitely worth seeing Baby, One More Time now it’s touring around the UK.
Runs until 1st February 2025
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