& Juliet
Newcastle Theatre Royal
What if Juliet hadn’t died at the end of Shakespeare’s tragedy? What if she’d simply chalked up her romance with Romeo as a learning experience, packed her bags, and headed to Paris with her friends? That’s the bold and playful premise of & Juliet, an energetic, empowering jukebox musical now lighting up the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.
With a witty and clever book by David West Read (writer for Schitt’s Creek) and a catalogue of era-defining pop hits by Swedish super-producer Max Martin (think Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys), & Juliet reimagines the iconic character not as a victim of fate, but as a young woman reclaiming her story. This fresh take avoids the trap of feeling like a glorified concert; instead, the pop songs are cleverly integrated into the narrative, often with subtle lyrical tweaks that add humour and resonance. The result is a show that feels contemporary, inclusive, and packed with joyful energy.
The show’s origins are as interesting as the concept itself. The idea for & Juliet was born out of a collaboration between Max Martin and David West Read, who met while Read was working on Broadway. Martin, responsible for some of the biggest pop hits of the last 25 years, had never worked on a musical before. Their shared goal was to create a jukebox show that didn’t just rely on nostalgia, but recontextualised Martin’s music within a meaningful and empowering narrative. The musical premiered in Manchester in 2019 before moving to the West End, where it quickly earned a devoted following and a host of Olivier Award nominations. It has since enjoyed international success, including a Broadway run, proving that its message—and its music—resonates with audiences across generations.
Set within a frame story involving Shakespeare himself (Jay McGuiness) and his wife Anne Hathaway (Lara Denning), & Juliet explores what happens when Anne proposes an alternative version of her husband’s most famous play—one with a modern feminist twist. As they debate the direction of the narrative, we follow Juliet (Gerardine Sacdalan) as she rebels against a convent-bound future and journeys to Paris with her Nurse, Angelique (Sandra Marvin) and friend May (Jordan Broatch). Along the way, new relationships are forged, old expectations are challenged, and—yes—there’s even a reappearance from Romeo (Benjamin Jackson Walker), who turns out not to be quite as dead as expected.
The ensemble cast delivers knockout performances, with standout vocals from Sacdalan as Juliet and Marvin as the scene-stealing Nurse. Jordan Broatch brings warmth and vulnerability to the role of May, while Kyle Cox (Francois) and former Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans (Lance) add plenty of charm and comic timing to the Parisian subplot. The lighting and sound design are exceptional—bold, dynamic, and perfectly tuned to match the high-octane choreography (Jennifer Weber) and musical transitions.
This is the second time I have seen the show and my seat gave a perfect view of the violin/viola player Rachel Steadman whose performance was exquisite as she added flavour to the big pop hits. She was a part of a very hardworking band, under musical director Marcus Carter-Adams, who had the challenging job of accompanying the action on stage. This was a challenge that they perfectly matched.
The other parts I noticed more at the Theatre Royal were the lights (Howard Hudson) and sound (Gareth Owen). Now, dear reader, when I start banging on about the lights it can be code for "struggling for positives here" but not with this show. It is a fabulous ensemble piece performing a funny new take on Shakespeare's most famous work with a brilliant cast. On this occasion I am mentioning the lights and sound as the seat I was given made us noticed an amazing array of lighting to create the effects, and highlight the action, on stage. Likewise the sound could cope with gentle ballads and the big arena style sound for the boy band scene. My guest also commented on the costumes (Paloma Young) which managed to mix Elizabethan splendour with a modern twist.
This production feels particularly relevant in 2025, as it reflects contemporary values around self-determination, inclusivity, and rewriting outdated narratives. As many of us first encountered Romeo and Juliet through school textbooks—wondering why Juliet, a mere child, was given so few options—it’s refreshing to see a version where she takes control of her destiny. The show asks the big "what if" questions with heart and humour: What if Juliet were older, wiser, and free to make her own choices? What if Anne Hathaway had a voice in the storytelling?
& Juliet is a vibrant, funny, and touching celebration of identity, love, and second chances. It’s a breath of fresh air for musical theatre fans and Shakespeare lovers alike. Catch it in Newcastle before it heads off—this is one remix you don’t want to miss.
Review: Stephen Oliver
Photos: Matt Crockett
Tickets:
🎟️ Book now at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
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