& JULIET
A fabulously pop-tastic party, featuring a canon of top tunes from start to finish.
Norwich Theatre
I blame ABBA. For it was them, and their Mamma Mia, that probably unleashed the tidal wave of jukebox musicals that has since swept over theatre-land. Some may have been better than others, but it was still with a sense of slight trepidation that I took my seat at Norwich Theatre Royal for the Shakespeare-inspired musical pop-fest that is '& Juliet'.
Inspired by the writitng of the Bard's famous stage tragedy, but using the unusual theatrical construct of allowing William Shakespeare's wife Ann Hathaway on stage to argue for a more empowering plot-line and conclusion, '& Juliet' surprised and thrilled me like no other stage musical since 'Six – The Musical' knocked the dramatic stuffing out of Henry VIII.
Written by 'Schitt Creek's David West Read, and incorporating almost 30 pop and rock bangers made famous by Swedish record producer and songwriter Max Martin, both the script and the setlist sparkle and shine from start to finish, a roll-call of hits made famous by the likes of Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, and Katy Perry.
Under the direction of Luke Sheppard, and with spectacular sets, costumes and lighting from Soutra Gilmour, Paloma Young and Howard Hudson, the stage is set for an Elizabethan pop drama like no other. From the company's opening Backstreet Boys salvo of hits 'Larger Than Life' and 'I Want It That Way', to the climactic close of Katy Perry's 'Roar' and Justin Timberlake's 'Can't Stop The Feeling', it the talented and charismatic cast that really bring the show to life. The live five-piece band led by Marcus Carter-Adams belts out the hits, whilst choreographer Jennifer Weber synchronises the cast with some showstopping routines.
For Norwich's opening night performance it is X-Factor graduate, and top-ten album selling singer, Matt Cardle, and Harriet Caplin-Dean who lead the cast as William Shakespeare and Ann Hathaway as they argue and compromise on their way to finishing Will's new tragedy about two star-struck lovers caught in a feud between rival families in Verona. Cardle is suitably authoritative and charismatic as the Bard, using the opportunity to introduce, and claim credit for, so many Shakespeare lines that have since become part of our everyday vernacular. And Caplin-Dean, stepping up to play Ann in tonight's performance, is a total revelation – sassy, smart and forceful in standing her ground and stating her case for Juliet's role in the play.
And for supporting vocal performances, credits are shared between a bevy of talented actors that include an incredible Geraldine Sacdalan as Juliet (her 'I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman', 'Stronger', and 'Roar' are powerful theatrical dynamite); Sandra Marvin as her former nurse and confidante Angeliqué; Jordan Broatch as her sensitive and lovely non-binary friend May; and Ranj Singh and Kyle Cox as father and son party animals Lance and François. And, of course, not forgetting Jack Danson who comes back to life to play Romeo.
Forget any preconceptions you may have about jukebox musicals (and this one even has a real jukebox included as part of the stage set), '& Juliet' is a real pop music delight with bite, an empowering night with fight, and a fabulously pop-tastic party, featuring a canon of top tunes from start to finish.
