& Juliet flips a classic love story into a bold, modernised stage spectacle
& Juliet has hit the Civic in all its electro-pop glory and like Katy Perry - audiences haven’t just liked it, they are loving it!
The Shakespeare inspired Jukebox musical of songs written by award winning singer-songwriter Max Martin features tunes audiences love, including Hit Me Baby One More Time, Roar, and It's Gonna Be Me reimagined in this fresh take on Romeo and Juliet that begs the question… What if Juliet didn’t die at the end and started her own story?
Through these powerhouse pop vocals we are taken on a colourful, pantomime journey from Verona to Paris (and not the one from the play!) following Juliet and her best friends as they feel freedom for the first time from their overbearing storylines, but William Shakespeare isn’t about to let these changes to his text go down so easy.
With an incredibly stacked cast of talented actors and singers, the atmosphere is that of a party everyone is invited to and celebrated in. Kristin Paulse plays our Juliet, with a powerhouse voice and incredibly dynamic talent as a triple threat performer. Awhimai Fraser shines as Anne Hathaway, the complex imagining of Shakespeare's wife who leads the charge in changing Juliet’s story, with beautiful vocals and acting chops that will get you in your feels. The bard himself is played by none other than Matu Ngaropo, with vocal prowess and a razor sharp wit that would challenge Bill Shakes himself!
Andrew Grainger and Lavina Williams steal the show with their characters' unlikely romance as Lance and the Nurse with a torrid and passionate past, with vocals and comedic flair that made them absolutely glowing standouts in their performances. Josh Johnson as Frankie (Or Francois) and Jared Pallesen as May lead the core romantic storyline, letting the real romance shine in a queer storyline with honesty, care and compassion. Pallesen’s refreshing take on “’I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman” brings a whole new depth to the pop ballad. Finally, our certified loverboy Romeo is played by Andrew Papas. Turns out Romeo’s back too and he’s ready to party! With personality and vocal flair that turned my mind immediately to the stage presence of Adam Lambert, it wasn’t surprising that his wet-blanket Romeo became one of my favourites in the entire show.
An astounding ensemble completed the stunning picture of the show, with crisp vocals and top notch choreography that stunned the stage - with the polish of a touring production on par with that of Shrek or School of Rock, & Juliet delivered an amazingly tight ensemble performance, glittering set and stage, and overall insanely high production value. It truly is a production that is larger than life!
Go see & Juliet while you can. Let the star-studded cast rock your world into the sunlight 'cause this show is about to blow!
Headed next to Wellington and Christchurch. See details below for more.
WELLINGTON – ST JAMES THEATRE – 9 MAY TO 24 MAY
CHRISTCHURCH – ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL - 30 MAY TO 13 JUNE
Tickets: andjuliet.co.nz
