We reviewed & Juliet at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal starring Newark’s Jay McGuiness
A classic story retelling through some of the biggest pop hits was not only capable of entertaining but inspiring and Newark’s own star shone in it.
& Juliet tells the story of Juliet’s life after Romeo, with Shakespeare himself retelling the classic with a few magical touches from his wife Anne Hathaway.
The musical flipped the script as Juliet wakes up to see her lover dead, but instead of killing herself as the original story tells, she goes on an adventure to re-discover herself.
As I sat down waiting for the show to begin at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, my expectations grew as the lady next to me shared her love for the musical and how she had watched it nine times, once in New York. It could only mean I was in for a great evening of entertainment.
Its popularity was clear to see as all the seats were taken - and her praise was shown to be well deserved as soon as the cast started singing.
Newark’s Jay McGuiness, a member of The Wanted band member and 2015 Strictly Come Dancing winner, performed as Shakespeare.
He was absolutely amazing, and despite his talent being of public knowledge, I was surprised to see him on a stage so close to home but thankfully I did.
From his voice to his jokes and incredibly stubborn personality, he perfectly played the character and got the heart of every member of the audience.
Anne Hathaway, performed by Lara Denning, nearly stole the show as she wanted to live her own life and feel an empowered woman through the retelling of the story as just because she didn’t get a choice, doesn’t mean that Juliet can’t.
The show followed the duo re-writing the classic story while being in and out of the musical themselves as characters in the story, not only adding humorous bits to it but also extra engagement from the crowd.
As Juliet (Gerardine Sacdalan) departs for a new journey alongside her friends May (Jordan Broatch), April (Lara Denning) and her childhood nurse (Sandra Marvin), the classic story takes a turn of love, friendship and self-confidence.
The musical touches on themes such as adultery, passion, sexuality, identity, being in a young marriage and self-discovery, not missing the chance to make the public laugh but also leave a message behind.
I nearly couldn’t stand still as the cast smashed through hits such as Britney Spears — … Baby One More Time and Oops!… I Did it Again; Kelly Clarkson — Since U Been Gone, Pink — Fucking Perfect; Katy Perry — Roar and I Kissed a Girl or even Backstreet Boys — I Want It That Way.
From laughs to singing along and dancing while sitting on a chair, & Juliet teaches that you can do whatever you want with your life regardless of what others tell you or want you to, it is your life and all comes down to confidence.
If Romeo comes back to life, it doesn’t mean Juliet needs to take him back; if two men fall in love and want to be together, then why not? And if people can fall back in love years and years later they can. — It is all possible at & Juliet, because there is no need for a Romeo, just for a woman with passion and will.
With over 20 pop hits sung on the stage, colourful outfits, captivating energetic dances and insanely hypnotising voices, & Juliet is a musical that I will not forget. I left the theatre feeling inspired, happy and confident and for me, that is a success! — MT.
