Bringing a new spin to a Shakespeare classic ‘& Juliet’ arrived at The Regent Theatre, in Hanley, this week.
This fast-paced, modern musical combined a contemporary, vivid backdrop, tight choreography, and a score packed with chart favourites to bring the ending and after-story of this famous play firmly up to date.
In the same vein as Six The Musical, which brings the story of Henry VIII to a whole new audience, & Juliet delivers a modern twist to a Shakespeare classic to engage a whole new audience and demographic.
It’s a high energy show from start to finish with the enthusiastic cast giving 100 per cent, as Anne Hathaway steps up to shake-up Shakespeare’s play with a new feminist ending.
Featuring Jay McGuinness from band The Wanted as William Shakespeare, and Steps’ Lee Latchford Evans as Lance, pop culture plays a big part – with both singers giving excellent performances.
Every single member of the cast is fantastic though, giving the show a feel-good vibe as the singing, acting and dancing are exceptional throughout.
Lara Denning, as Anne Hathaway, delivers a standout performance as the impassioned wife of Shakespeare, who is desperate to give the tragic teen a new story, also reflecting on her own battle in her marriage and the place she holds in Shakespeare’s life.
Juliet meanwhile is like a ball of energy as she seeks to grasp the most from her life. Gerardine Sacdalan is excellent in taking on this role, combining a fantastic voice and likeable persona as she finds herself once again in a troublesome relationship with François played by Kyle Cox.
As the life of Juliet’s best friend May, played by Jordan Broatch, and her nurse Angelique, played by Sandra Marvin, – both fantastic supporting characters – takes on a variety of twist and turns, a carefully selected soundtrack of pop favourites is manipulated to tell the story in a comical and, at times, moving way.
Without giving too much away, there is even an appearance from Romeo, played by Benjamin Jackson Walker, who is again excellent, as more than one love story is played out on the stage.
& Juliet is a truly modern representation of Shakespeare and does a fantastic job of asking the ‘what if’ question around the original play. Comically, Shakespeare also makes a number of asides to the audience, pointing out his turns of phrase that have become commonplace – showing the impact of his work. The show is both funny and thoughtful, while delivering touches of brilliance, including the ‘Bois band’.
Although there is a fair bit of swearing and innuendo, for older tweens and teens this is a great launchpad to understand a bit more about Shakespeare, and to think about the presentation of traditional roles, and, of course, it is a chance to watch a great show.
With excellent staging, a fresh modern take, and a feelgood soundtrack, & Juliet delivers something fresh and exciting for theatre. Catch it this week at The Regent Theatre until Saturday, May 17.
Tickets online at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/and-juliet/regent-theatre/.
CNM
