“What if Juliet doesn’t kill herself?” William Shakespeare‘s wife Anne asks him as he prepares for the opening night of Romeo & Juliet, “because your ending’s shit.”
Welcome to ‘& Juliet’, a supreme reinvention not only of Shakespeare’s most classic love story but a prodigiously original, high octane, diverse, modern, fun musical that doesn’t let up until the very end.
‘A perfect example of how to reinvent a classic for the Gen Z generation, and all their friends and family’
Hailing straight from the West End and Broadway, New Theatre Oxford is hosting this fantastic new show until Saturday, and from the moment the street dancers erupt on stage, you realise this isn’t Romeo & Juliet as we know it, but instead an empowering, hilarious and camp stomper of a musical where Juliet reigns supreme.
And what a Juliet she is, Geraldine Sacdalan bursting onto stage to Backstreet Boys’ Larger Than Life, as a force to be reckoned with. Taking control of her own life through all its highs, lows, unexpected encounters, love interests, and life lessons, Geraldine is a star in the making.
More than that, her voice, its cadences and range are mesmerising as is her stamina, amidst a kaladeiscope of the 30-odd famous songs by the likes of Britney Spears, Kate Perry, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, the Weeknd and so many more, all written by Max Martin.
But back to the plot, as dictated not by William Shakespeare (a highly entertaining Matt Cardle, the X Factor winner, who looked like he was having the time of his life) but his frustrated wife Anne (Lara Denning), whose vocals are so spellbinding you could hear a pin drop during her numbers like That’s The Way It Is.
‘a supreme reinvention not only of Shakespeare’s most classic love story but a prodigiously original, high octane, diverse, modern, fun musical that doesn’t let up until the very end’
Believing Juliet deserves more, Anne lives her life vicariously through the famous heroine, Juliet escaping to Paris where she parties her pants off, finds her feet and meets Francois (Kyle Cox), who offers her a way out.
When William Shakespeare discovers what his wife has done with his beloved play he takes back the reins by ensuring that Romeo (Jack Danson) isn’t dead either, and is soon in hot pursuit of his young wife.
A series of sticky love triangles follow, Francois discovering that he prefers Juliet’s best friend May (Jordan Broatch), Juliet realising she’s jumped from the frying pan into the fire, and Anne having second thoughts about her own marriage to the Bard.
A special mention to Juliet’s nurse Angelique (Sandra Marvin, she of the pipes!) and her comic escapades with Francois’ father Lance (TV doctor Ranj Singh, who knew?) who kept the darker moments at bay.
On the edge of our seats we are left wondering if Juliet would marry Francois rather than becoming the independent women she strives for, if William and Anne will reunite and what happens to Romeo? In short, is this the end of the world’s most famous love story as we know it?
No plot spoilers here, but one thing’s for sure you’ll never look at Romeo & Juliet again in the same way.
A hilarious and riotous romp, constantly interspersed with some stunning musical numbers, ‘& Juliet’ is performed impeccably by the entire cast, ensuring much humour, frivolity and some poignant and multigendered conundrums.
An absolute corker of a show, you can’t miss it, the audience applauding after every song, up on their feet dancing and offering a much deserved standing ovation. A perfect example of how to reinvent a classic for the Gen Z generation, and all their friends and family.
& Juliet runs until Saturday September 7 at Oxford New Theatre. Go to https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/and-juliet/new-theatre-oxford/
