Shaftsbury Theatre – currently booking until May 2019
Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes
5*****
“What if Juliet didn’t kill herself?” asks Anne Hathaway at the start of the show. Well, if she had lived you get & Juliet, the brand new jukebox musical featuring songs written by Max Martin.
Starting at the end of Romeo and Juliet, Anne Hathaway (Cassidy Janson) asks Shakespeare (Oliver Tompsett) why Juliet has to die, just because Romeo does. This leads to Anne taking over and rewriting the ending of the play, even giving herself a role in the play. Things seems to be going well for Juliet until Shakespeare brings Romeo (Jordon Luke Gage) back from the dead. This does not go down well with Anne and leads to an argument between her and her husband until they have a heart to heart and Anne, and Juliet, get the ending they want.
Miriam-Teak Lee is amazing as Juliet, being both confused by her feelings for Romeo and her sense for adventure. Joining Lee is Arun Blair-Mangat as May, Juliet’s best friend, and Melanie La Barrie as her nurse. Whilst on her adventures Juliet as meets Francois, Tim Mahendran, whom she nearly marries, and Lance (David Bedella), the strict father of Francois.
The cast work well together and the relationship between Tompsett and Janson is absolutely amazing, they need more stage time together. The mix of modern and Shakespearean English works well with several famous Shakespeare quotes thrown in for good measure.
With an amazing set designed by Soutra Gilmour, costumes designed by Paloma Young and wigs by Linda Mcknight, this reimagining of a classic will have everyone singing and dancing.
With female empowerment a key theme throughout this is a musical not to be missed. You will laugh, you will cry, you will sing. Grab a ticket while you can because this show is going to sell out fast and you do not want to miss it.