& Juliet: From Tragedy to Transcendent

"For never was a story of more woe, 

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

From woe to wonder, & Juliet is the new spectacular redefining the jukebox musical. In a whirl of modern renaissance costuming, fabulous choreography and a plethora of Max Martin pop hits, this show is a slick, sassy, non-stop party from beginning to end. 

Based upon Shakespeare’s most renowned play, the curtain rises as the bard (Rob Mills) announces the ending he’s just written to Romeo & Juliet, his latest work. Disgruntled by the tragic death of the leads, Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway (Amy Lehpamer) takes the quill and poses the question: “What if Juliet didn’t kill herself?” What ensues is a powerful exploration of life after love underscored by songs you’ve probably heard on the charts from the 90’s to the present day. While it’s a little jarring to hear the soundtrack of your life translated into the style of musical theatre, Australian audiences are more than happy to have a laugh at the opening line and continue watching. 

While & Juliet only names one character in the title, the story weaves together a talented group of leads to complete the tale.

Yashith Fernando plays Francois, the charming and boyish new love interest for Juliet. Perfecting the anxiety of a young man emerging into the big wide world, Fernando is a joy to watch coming alive on the stage, in his professional musical theatre debut, no less!

Jesse Dutlow dazzles as May, Juliet’s best friend, in perhaps the best set of costumes across the show. Their performance is laced with such vulnerability that you just want to give them a hug, and is a beautiful representation of non-binary struggles which we don’t often see in musical theatre. 

Blake Appelqvist establishes themselves as Melbourne theatre’s sweetheart, playing Romeo of Montague as the hilarious “himbo” that returns from the dead to win Juliet back. With a soaring voice, boundless energy and comedic genius, Appelqvist is not to be missed.

Hayden Tee is Lance, Francois’ father. There is not a moment Tee is onstage where they aren’t hamming up the accent and getting all of the laughs as a caricature of the French man. 

Sarah Murr swept the audience away as the exuberant Angelique, Juliet’s nurse, at this performance. Considering her counterpart in this role is usually Casey Donovan, Murr is a powerhouse in her own right and nails the humour and heart that makes the character special.

Rob Mills is in his element as the bard himself, and with an extensive career in musical theatre, Mills’ professionalism and stage presence as Shakespeare is a joy to see. His character is criminally underutilised, but he captures the comedy of Will’s vanity and genius perfectly.

Amy Lehpamer as Anne Hathaway brings audiences on a journey, learning who she is in a story parallel to Juliet’s as she sets the quill against both their lives. Shining in the number “That’s The Way It Is”, we understand why Lehpamer is a pillar of Australian musical theatre, and a force on every stage she sets foot on.

Lorinda May Merrypor is a glittering star as the leading lady finding her place in the world, faultless as she emulates the pop sound of the jukebox hits, smashes Juliet’s hilarious naivety and swings from a chandelier. Full of power, she sits comfortably in the spotlight, and we can’t wait to see more of her soon.

As you find your way into the theatre and onto your seat, the stage begins to fill with one of the most energetic and electric ensembles in Australian theatre. Showcased perfectly in the punchy numbers “Blow” and “Confident”, it’s almost thrilling when you’re invited to dance with them in the encore “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” 

Our only gripe with & Juliet lies in the book, where the ideals of girl power are laid on so thick that it could inspire a wince rather than a smile. Juliet is written as the epitome of the “I don’t need a man” girl, which is refreshing for her character of course, but when you start to root for Romeo, you know it’s a bit much.

Ultimately, this is a production that revels in its glittery, neon-lit message of self-love and female power. Whether you find it camp, comforting, or slightly cringe-worthy at times, there is no way you can’t sit through it without a smile. & Juliet has managed to take a story we’ve all seen before, pair it with songs we’ve all heard before, and still make it totally original. This show turns a night out into a party, and is great for theatre-goers young and old!

& Juliet is currently running in Perth until the 8th of February, before moving to Sydney from February 2024!

Find out more at their website: & Juliet Australia

This review is based upon the performance of & Juliet on the 7th of March, 2022.

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