& Juliet - 9 out of 10 stars
Northern Light Theatre Company
Tickets: & Juliet Tickets
& Juliet, a jukebox musical featuring the hits of
celebrated pop songwriter Max Martin—made famous by artists like Britney Spears
and the Backstreet Boys—offers a witty, modern reimagining of
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This vibrant, self-aware production asks
what might happen if Juliet chose her own destiny after Romeo, blending clever
humour, inventive pop integration, and progressive themes of self-discovery and
empowerment that particularly resonate with young female audiences.
Creative Team Ceri Hutton (Director), Billy St. James
(Musical Director), and Co-Choreographers Kerreane Sarti and Shenayde Patterson
have assembled a dynamic powerhouse of a cast that delivers hit after hit with
unstoppable energy. The choreography takes centre stage—Sarti and Patterson,
alongside dance captains Alana Shepherdson and Holly Fennell, ensure the
youthful ensemble are sharp, expressive, and bursting with character while
showcasing impressive tricks and individual flair. A special mention goes to Patterson, who stepped into the cast as a dance cover on opening night and didn’t
miss a beat.
St. James’ vocal direction also shines, balancing the
demands of intricate choreography with powerhouse vocals, resulting in a
thrilling soundscape supported by a tight, energetic orchestra driving each pop
anthem forward.
Due to an injury, Sam Mannix was unable to perform, however Deon
Martino-Williams stepped into the role of Lance, while Parisya Mosel stepped into
the role of Capulet. Both Martino-Williams and Mosel knew their swing roles well,
not needing any visible assistance from other cast members.
Londyn Foreman as Juliet is a formidable triple threat. Everything Foreman did was deliberate to further the story or the character, and every delivery of dialogue or song was succinct with purpose and direction. Each connection Juliet has throughout the musical is unique and developed with resolve. Notable moments include her rendition of “Oops… I Did It Again!” and “Roar”.
Bec Pynor as Anne Hathaway and Robbie Breugelmans as William
Shakespeare are superb, bringing humour, wit, and genuine heart to their
performances. Their scenes break the fourth wall with playful self-awareness,
allowing the audience to watch as their story—and the world of Romeo
& Juliet—unfolds around them. The chemistry between the two builds
beautifully from rivalry to affection, elevating the show with both emotional
and comedic depth. Pynor’s rich vocals and Breugelmans’ sharp timing are
standout elements throughout the evening.
If there ever was an award for a comedic role, it would need
to go to Sarah Hamilton. Her entrance as Juliet’s nurse, who we later find out
is named Angelique, had the audience in stitches, which then continued throughout
the rest of the musical. The subplot between Angelique and Lance was not
something I expected to be as forefront as it was, but I was living for it,
thanks to the superb work Hamilton and Martino-Williams put into their deliver.
The fact that we don’t get the goofball eccentricities of
Daniel Hamilton as Romeo until the final number of Act One is unfair to audiences - thankfully Act Two makes up for it. His performance has the energy of a fish out of
water, not knowing what has happened around him and is forced to adjust quickly
in this girl-empowered world. Hamilton’s portrayal is stunning, embodying a
character that allows a playful side to surface. “It’s My Life” is a highlight,
and a fantastic way to end Act One.
Written into the story by Anne Hathaway are 2 best friends
for Juliet, including May, portrayed fabulously by Jake Hipkiss. While in the program,
they credit their dance background, it is their singing credits that wowed the
audience. May is involved in a lot of songs, and it was great to hear their
voice repeatedly. The relationships May is entangled with between Juliet, Francois
I fun to watch unfold, and speaks to many in the audience. A standout character
for me, in all the ways one wouldn’t normally expect. Go and watch it to find
out why…
Bailey Edwards delivers a charming performance as Francois (Frankie), paired with Deon Martino-Williams as Lance. The father–son dynamic is both funny and heartfelt, peaking with the De Bois Band number and the touching acceptance of Francois and May’s relationship— the use of “It’s Gonna Be Me” was brilliant! Edwards shines in his scenes with May and Juliet at the club, which allow for greater ensemble characterisation, while Martino-Williams matches Sarah Hamilton’s comedic energy in “Teenage Dream,” creating a character the audience can’t help but root for.
Following music and choreography, the costumes were off the charts! The individuality in each costume while still looking uniform with their groups was stunning. We’ve heard about the many hot glue gun sessions at the Parks Theatre through NLTC’s socials, so it’s great to see the final product, and still be wowed. Congratulations to the Costume Design, Construction and Sourcing team!
The set was simple, yet effective. Graffitied walls,
parodying references and quotes, as well as tags for the choreographers. Active
use of the fly system allowed the floor space to be used for the many dance
numbers without hurdles. Minimal set pieces were used to convey each location successfully.
There were the typical opening night tech issues that come with limited time to
perfect the technical aspects once in the theatre space, but as usual, these will
naturally be ironed out across the next couple of performances.
Overall, NLTC’s & Juliet offers a vibrant,
high-energy production that showcases standout characters, dynamic
choreography, and cohesive creative direction and should be seen by everyone!
- Andrew Broadbent
Love this -Lucky
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