& Juliet – Review – Leeds Grand Theatre
By Kirsty Masterman, November 2024
What if Juliet didn’t kill herself at the end of the tragic Shakespeare tale? A question, I’m sure, that is on the tip of all our tongues. I’m at The Grand in Leeds on a cold, wet, November evening to find out just that.
No, I’m not at some obscure, murder mystery evening, I’m here to see & Juliet, the latest musical taking the UK by storm, following its hugely successful stint in London’s West End.
Written by David West Read, & Juliet premiered in Manchester in 2019, before taking up residency in the West End. Since then the show has gone on to open in Toronto and on Broadway and has won 3 Olivier awards.
This reworking of Shakespeare’s tragic tale follows the story of Juliet. Posing the question, what if, when faced with Romeo’s corpse, instead of the all too familiar ending, Juliet refuses to end it all? I mean, is that really unbelievable, after only knowing him for a week? What if, instead, she exerts her 90s ‘Girl Power’ and embarks on her own, personal, voyage of discovery.
“Energy and charisma”
Framing the narrative to the production is scribe, William Shakespeare, played by 2010 X-Factor winner, Matt Cardle, and his neglected wife Anne Hathaway (Lara Denning), who make a terrific pairing. Their banter has the audience chuckling throughout as we see how the play might have ended, had Hathaway got her hands on it.
Cardle portrays an egotistical, yet charming William Shakespeare, and clearly relishes the role, bouncing around the stage, interacting with the audience, all while re-writing possibly one of the greatest love stories ever told.
This pop-infused musical (29 to be accurate) opens with the titular Juliet, played by Geraldine Sacdalan, belting out a rendition of Britney Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’. Her vocals are delivered effortlessly and powerfully. This, combined with her energy and charisma, sees Sacdalan leading the charge for female empowerment with aplomb.
After the initial sugar rush, the story begins to take shape and it is clear from the offset, this is a very modern take on Shakespeare. & Juliet celebrates modern relationships and gender identities, injecting humour and modern sensibilities into an updated narrative of self-discovery and independence.
“Funny twist”
Dr Ranj Singh, who is perhaps more frequently seen on daytime TV, stars as Lance, the love interest for Nurse Angelique (Sandra Marvin). He bungles around the stage with his muddled French accent in such a comical way, he is an instant hit with the audience, and his pairing with Sandra Marvin makes for a brilliant double act.
The costumes and set design are visually appealing and match the energy of the cast. Paloma Young has the costume design on point, marrying dull, Elizabethan doublets and corsets with vibrant, contemporary ripped jeans and trainers, while the clever use of projection and special effects only add to the spectacle. They definitely make you forget the dull November weather.
When Jack Danson makes his appearance as Romeo, now a self-absorbed playboy, back from the dead, it provides a pleasingly, funny twist to proceedings. I guess it was inevitable he was going to turn up at some point!
With a setlist from the Grammy Award-winning songwriter Max Martin, spanning from the 90s to the present day, including hits such as Katy Perry’s ‘I Kissed A Girl’, ‘It’s My Life’ by Jon Bon Jovi and ‘As Long As You Love Me’ by the Backstreet Boys to name but a few, it’s a treasure trove of deliriously, catchy pop songs, taking me back to my schooldays, and, judging from the audiences’ reaction, I’m not the only one feeling nostalgic.
“Relentless”
Read integrates Martin’s songs into the story effortlessly, giving them meaning within the narrative and not just for our musical pleasure.
This production definitely breathes new life into the teen love story. The writing is inventive, combining humour, empowerment and nostalgia with dazzling performances from a cast with relentless energy.
It is visually stunning and emotionally uplifting, A real feel-good theatrical extravaganza.
It may be a smorgasbord of Generation Z, and a musical made with today’s youth in mind. but equally, it is entertaining for those old enough to remember some of the earlier hits.
& Juliet has the audience on their feet as it comes to an end beneath a shower of golden confetti, proving that there really is life after Romeo.
‘& Juliet’ is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 30th November
