Birmingham Hippodrome – until 3rd May 2025.
Reviewed by Emma Millward
5*****
& Juliet, a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers, premiered at Manchester Opera House in September 2019 before transferring to the West End in November of the same year. The show went on to win three Olivier Awards in 2020. It explores the question of what would have happened if Juliet had lived. The jukebox musical features the music of Swedish songwriter Max Martin, music arranged by Bill Sherman, with a book by David West Read. Filled to the brim with Martin’s impressive back catalogue of hits originally performed by an array of artists, including Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Taylor Swift.
The show begins unexpectedly, as the cast begin to take to the stage to have a dance, or a chat with each other while waving at the crowd. We meet William Shakespeare (Jay McGuiness), who is about to stage the first production of Romeo and Juliet. His wife, Anne Hathaway (Lara Denning), who is visiting from Stratford-upon-Avon, makes a few suggestions on how he can improve the play. The main one being that Juliet (Gerardine Sacdala, making a stunning professional debut) decides not to end her life, and instead sets out on an adventure with her friends. Shakespeare is less than impressed with this idea, but decides to see how this will work in the play, with both Shakespeare and Hathaway taking part in the action as additional characters. Juliet soon discovers that Romeo (Ben Jackson Walker, who originated the role in the Broadway production) had dated many other ladies in Verona. Juliet, her Nurse/Angelique (Sandra Marvin) and her non-binary best friend May (Jordan Broatch) decide to head off to Paris in search of adventure. Anne Hathaway joins them along the way in the guise of a new friend called April.
In Paris, they gatecrash a party Lance (Ranj Singh) has thrown to try to find a wife for his shy son, Francois (Kyle Cox). Lance and Angelique rekindle their romance in a hilarious bedroom scene as they both belt out ‘Teenage Dream/Break Free’, made even funnier by Ranj Singh’s slightly over-the-top French accent. Francois meets both Juliet and May, making an instant connection with May. A series of typically Shakespearean comedic misdirections and confusion ensues as Francois is torn between two lovers. To complicate matters further, Romeo reappears ‘from the dead’, adding to Juliet’s confusion.
Luke Sheppard’s direction perfectly brings together all the production elements. The set design by Soutra Gilmour is exquisite, transporting us to Paris and Verona. Jennifer Weber’s choreography is just the right side of frenetic. At times, it felt like we were watching a pop concert with group dance numbers, confetti cannons and Howard Hudson’s beautiful lighting design. The songs all complement the storyline, especially Juliet’s rendition of ‘….Baby One More Time’ and ‘Roar’, which both drew huge applause from the crowd.
Although the show boasts an impressive ensemble cast, the trio of remarkable leading ladies, Garardine Sacdalan, Lara Denning, and Sandra Marvin, truly shine. Their exceptional vocal abilities and impeccable comedic timing are evident throughout. The show is unashamedly camp and never takes itself too seriously. It delivers a fun-filled night of catchy tunes, laughter, female empowerment….. and lots of confetti!!