The Liverpool Everyman’s new production of Romeo & Juliet demonstrates that even the most familiar plays can be revitalised with originality and freshness. Director Ellie Hurt delivers a compelling interpretation that is contemporary yet timeless, balancing energy, humour, and tragedy with real assurance.
Sascha Gilmour’s minimalist set design, paired with a grungy, unsettling opening, establishes a strong atmosphere from the start. The set transforms seamlessly, turning an Elizabethan backdrop into an open house with a projecting balcony, before shifting to the biophilic Friar’s cell and, finally, a crypt.
The intimacy of the Everyman allows for direct interaction between performers and audience, heightening immediacy and creating moments of striking theatricality, such as the grisly departure of Paris (Milo McCarthy), whose neck snap drew audible gasps from the audience.
The production’s technical elements are consistently strong. KJ’s lighting design is particularly impressive: deep reds flood the theatre during violent scenes, while softer tones accompany romantic moments. Rob Newman’s sound design and Gilmour’s costumes work seamlessly to enhance the storytelling.
Hurt’s vision of a stripped-back, modern staging proves highly effective. Her abridged script sharpens the pace while retaining Shakespeare’s wit and poignancy. Combined with intelligent design choices, this approach results in a production that feels both fresh and faithful to the text. Hurt is clearly a director of considerable promise.
Dom Coyote’s score contributes significantly to the atmosphere, blending grunge- inspired textures with striking vocal harmonies. An almost continuous deep thrum provides a tense undercurrent, keeping hearts racing. Highlights include the “Queen Mab” number, delivered with flair by Elliot Broadfoot as Mercutio, and several powerful ensemble sequences. The reprise of “I defy stars” at the conclusion maintains the impact of the play’s stark finale.
The cast is uniformly strong. Hurt’s decision to cast female-presenting actors in traditionally male roles such as Eithne Browne’s Friar Laurence and Kelise Gordon-Harrison’s Benvolio is highly effective. Ebony Feare’s Nurse stands out, blending humour and poignancy with ease, while Broadfoot’s Mercutio delivers some of the most memorable moments of the first half. As the central pair, Alicia Forde (Juliet) and Zoe West (Romeo) give captivating performances. Forde brings notable emotional depth, particularly in her confrontation with her father (Joe Alessi), while West’s natural charm carries the role with conviction. Their final death scene, enhanced by rain effects, is especially powerful.
This production is both daring and deeply emotional. Thanks to a powerful cast, confident direction, and imaginative design, Liverpool Everyman’s Romeo & Juliet emerges as one of the theatre’s finest achievements in recent years.
Romeo & Juliet runs at Liverpool Everyman through to Saturday 4th October 2025. A link for booking tickets is below.
https://everymanplayhouse.com/event/romeo-juliet/
Reviewer - Adrian Cork
On - 19/9/2025
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