What can a reviewer write about a show that actually doesn't need a review? To steal a line from another Musical, this show is "practically perfect in every way". If you are looking for something original, contemporary, relevant, humorous, poignant, and - I really hate this word, but it has never been more apt - feel-good in every way, then look no further. & Juliet has all of these in oodles!
Set design (Soutra Gilmour) is wonderful with hydraulics, revolves, trap-doors, video projections and flying a-plenty. Costumes (Paloma Young) are a heady mix of Elizabethan (Shakespearean) and contemporary and works incredibly well. Lighting (Howard Hudson ) as well as all the sfx and pyrotechnics were mind-bogglingly complicated and busy, but hit the spot (no pun intended) every time and were fabulous. And all that is before we get to the actual show itself.
This is a juke-box musical. Meaning that the songs are not original but taken from an already existing repertoire, in this case 'commercial pop'. Moreover, in this instance, all by one specific popular composer, namely Max Martin. (the programme credits him and 'friends' for the music and lyrics in this show). I am not, and never have been, a follower of this style of music, and so I was not familiar with the original versions of most of the songs being sung this evening. I recognised a couple of Britney Spears' songs and a Backstreet Boys mickey-take, but that was more or less it! However, what was so incredible was that each song had been chosen extremely cleverly, and were not, as most juke-box shows are, shoe-horned in in any way; they were integral, plot-developing, and smoothly and deftly executed. A few of the lyrics had been altered to accommodate, and those who knew the original words were able to appreciate more fully the cleverness in these instances. Dominic Fallacaro takes the credit for the musical direction of the show, which was, again, flawless and wonderful. For me, the sound levels, especially the booming bass, were too loud, at times feeling much more like an arena concert than a stage musical, but that is just a personal preference and with the wearing of earplugs in the second half, I found I enjoyed the music better.
The choreography (Jennifer Weber) was imaginative, busy, contemporary with a slight retro feel, dramatic, exciting and yes, again, brilliant! And the whole thing was directed with heart, passion and sensitivity by Luke Sheppard.
But what is the story I hear you ask.... It is 1597 (or thereabouts, or maybe 2019, who can say...) and we are in London (or maybe Verona) and we see William Shalespeare (Oliver Tompsett) and his 'Company Of Players' about to perform his latest play, 'Romeo And Juliet'. That is, until his wife, Anne Hathaway (Cassidy Janson) decides to come on board as co-writer and rewrite the ending. Thus Juliet doesn't actually die, but goes on to live a fulfilled, happy, and self-empowering life of her own.... well, it's not actually exactly like that, but that's the start of the show... you'll need to go and watch it to find out why she travels to Paris, meets Francois, and what his relationship is to May, and what his father's relationship to Juliet's nurse is, and how it all ends up ...... yes, the new plot is really quite Shakespearean! Oh, and speaking of plot and Shakespeare, the writing (book by David West Read) is delightful. There are numerous hat-nods to Shakespeare and the original R+J text as well as a few heroic couplets and some iambic pentameter in there too if you are clever enough to spot them!
The entire cast is superb, and I defy anyone to find better. They all sparked off each other superbly and it was obvious that they were all having real fun and enjoying this show just as much as the audience were. The chorus singing and harmonies were just dreamy, and individual characters and interpretations were perfectly measured. I can't mention all.. and of course it goes without saying that the role of Juliet, the protagonist and whole reason for the show, was superb (Miriam-Teak Lee). However my list of positive superlatives has almost been exhausted. So I shall mention just two, who were my personal favourites in the show. Cassidy Janson's Anne Hathaway was a masterclass in perfomance. Crystal clear diction, immaculate characterisation, and an absolutely stunningly beautiful singing voice to boot. An absolute joy to watch. Whilst David Bedella's performance as Lance Du Bois (with shades of Spamalot and Shrek) was understated in the 'less-is-more' school of acting, Sublime and empathetic.
This is a Musical for the 21st century, dealing superbly and meaningfully with issues of gender, race, and feminism (female empowerment) with gravitas, heart, but never too far away from a tongue-in-cheek saucy smile! Family-friendly, very funny, hugely heart-warming. This is (and again a phrase I cringe at when reading in other reviews, but again could not be more apt in this instance) an absolute must-see!
One final note... I really applaud and appreciate the band taking a bow at the end with the cast. This is something that happens much more on the continent, and haven't seen it happen very often in the UK. It should be done every time as a matter of course. That way all the performers can appreciate the long and elated standing ovation given to them, as it was this evening.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 1/10/19
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