& Juliet Spoiler-free Review


& 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 Sarti, 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

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