& Juliet – Review – Hull New Theatre

By Rachel Howard, September 2024

If you look back over the many theatre reviews I have written over the years, you’ll see I’m a little fickle when it comes to musicals… I seem to have a new favourite every few months. I’d like to think that says more about the quality of touring musicals than it does about my character!

However, true to type, I have a new favourite… But I think & Juliet may well stay in number one spot for some time to come. And here’s why…

A very rare technical hitch delays the start of our show at Hull New Theatre, and leaves me a little worried for what’s to come. The start of the show is a slightly odd one as the cast members stroll casually on stage, chatting amongst themselves, waving at the crowd and generally milling about. The auditorium lights are still up, so we’re left wondering “has the show started?” But after a few minutes of this slightly odd rigmarole, the lights go down and the magic begins.

And there ends the only negative I have about an otherwise PERFECT show.

& Juliet is a retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. We’re all familiar with the original storyline – star-crossed lovers are driven to suicide by their warring families – but this show rewrites history to examine what would happen if Juliet lived – and how life would pan out for her, post-Romeo.

“Confidence and strength”

The scene is set as William Shakespeare (Matt Cardle of X Factor fame) butts heads with his wife Anne Hathaway (Lara Denning) over how the ending should be written. The Bard is wanting the dark, tragic ending we all know, while Anne wants to explore Juliet’s (Gerardine Sacdalan) strength as a woman, and send her on a path of self discovery, leaving Verona and heading to Paris for a new life – and potentially, new love.

Alongside top-notch costumes and a set worthy of the West End, there are two main reasons this show is as outrageously good as it is… the cast and the soundtrack. We’ll start with the cast…

Top billing has to be given to the title character, Juliet. I am shocked to read that this tour is Gerardine Sacdalan’s professional debut. If she is this good now, buckle in for what’s to come! Never, in all my years of theatre-going, have I heard a voice as powerful and polished as hers. It’s hard for me to describe just how good she is, but the fact she has chosen to make her career in theatre (when quite honestly, she could probably sell out Wembley) just leaves us, the audience, as the lucky ones. Her characterisation of Juliet has everything – her vulnerability and innocence develops into confidence and strength. I’m completely mesmerised by Juliet the character and Gerardine the performer – it’s a combination that will struggle to be bettered.

Matt Cardle, 2010 X Factor winner, commands the stage as William Shakespeare. His voice is more powerful than I ever realised and his comedic timing is spot on – especially during the scenes with wife, Anne. The character of the Bard comes alive on stage and he’s a joy to watch.

“Cheeky glint”

Lara Denning provides one of the standout performances of the show (and that’s saying something with such a high-quality cast). A knockout voice, stage presence, comedy – she has it all. Her portrayal of a woman living very much in her husband’s shadow, desperate for some recognition and to be the lead character in his life, leaves me not only in fits of laughter, but also in floods of tears. She masterfully guides us on a rollercoaster of emotion and I love it.

In a surprising bit of casting, TV’s Dr Ranj Singh exuberantly takes to the stage as Lance, the father of Juliet’s new love interest, Francois. It’s a predominantly lighthearted role, and he excels as the flamboyant Frenchman, displaying a great singing voice, a highly amusing French accent and a cheeky glint in his eye. His experience on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 has stood him in good stead and he’s a fantastic addition to the cast list.

I wish I could write a paragraph about every cast member – they all deserve their moment in the sun – but I must finish up with special mentions for Jack Danson (Romeo), Sandra Marvin (Angelique, Juliet’s nurse), Jordan Broatch (May, Juliet’s bestie) and Kyle Cox (Francois). This cast really is dynamite – the combination of superb voices and the ability to tell a story and evoke emotion is second to none.

Now for the music…

Romeo and Juliet was written in 1597, so it may seem a little odd that this spin off is told to the soundtrack of the 1990s and 2000s, featuring the music of record producer Max Martin. I have to be honest and admit I had never heard of Martin, and didn’t realise there was one man behind so many pop and R’n’B classics. Banger after banger, the music just gets better and better, and it’s fascinating to see how songs written in the late 20th-century/early 21st-century can be so relevant to a story based on a 16th-century tale.

“Dancing in the aisles”

Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson – the list goes on. I find it increasingly hard to stop my feet tapping and shoulders shimmying. The nightclub scene featuring Kesha’s Blow is a real high-energy highlight, juxtaposed with May and Francois’ delicate rendition of Britney’s ‘I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman’, which serves to address the issues of gender identity and sexuality, subjects which feature prominently within the modern retelling of the story.

Often in musical theatre, you may find a dip in energy, some songs you don’t recognise or connect with, but that is not the case here. If anything, it intensifies right up to the end, when finally I can jump to my feet and dance along with the rest of the audience and cast. It’s not a full house on this opening night, but it feels packed to the rafters at the end, with people dancing in the aisles, ticker tape raining down and everyone trying to comprehend the amazing performance they have just had the pleasure to witness.

The weather may well have turned significantly more dreary and autumnal recently, but there is no better antidote to that than this show. If you’re feeling the need for an injection of energy, colour, astounding talent and terrific music, look no further.

In Shakespeare’s own words… “If music be the food of love, play on”, and with a bit of luck, this dazzling musical will play on for a long time to come.

‘& Juliet’ is at Hull New Theatre until 28th September
images: Matt Crockett