& Juliet
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Well that is quite a show! At first sight, the idea of a modernised, jukebox musical about what might have happened if Juliet has survived sounds like a mash-up too far .... but that's not what we get here. What we do get is a magnificent, fun, entertaining and amazing show, full of energy and driven by a clever script thanks to David West Read and the great tunes of Max Martin.
This really is a show driven by the story, not just an attempt to shoehorn some music into a weak vessel. Cleverly conceived and beautifully integrated, the music and script work together to deliver a highly entertaining "what if" ... essentially, what if Juliet hadn't killed herself? William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway battle with their script, sending the Players this way and that as the plot leaps around Verona and Paris.
Brilliant projections, a clever set and a cast on steroids give this a pace and energy that simply sucks you in, drags you along and gets under your skin - in a good way. Live (loud) music helps give this a bit of a concert feel and some genuinely excellent singing of the arrangements and some great comic timing mean that this is a real powerhouse of a show.
Loved it!!