&Juliet At Winter Gardens Blackpool Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Cath Joyce
Shakespeare and pop music? It’s not a combination that before last night I would ever have thought would work, but fortunately the clever team behind the musical &Juliet knew otherwise and the result is simply brilliant. Combining the talents of Max Martin, a Swedish composer and music producer who is responsible for some of the most well known pop songs of the past few decades, with the writing skills of David West Read they have created a fantastic story which perfectly fits around a score of hit songs.
The story begins on the opening night of Shakespeare’s latest tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. On a rare night away from the children, his wife Anne is looking forward to a good night out but when she discovers how the play will end she grabs his quill and begins to re-write the story, giving Juliet the chance of a new life without her Romeo. Writing herself into the story she joins Juliet and her friends on an exciting journey to Paris where we see Juliet begin to take control of her life with a few twists along the way!
The musical was fantastic from the very start but truly hit its stride after the interval, bringing a lively and compelling energy to the stage. Set in Shakespeare’s time, the sets and costumes were a clever mix of styles incorporating clothing styles from the era with a touch of glitz and glamour. The large set was very impressive and the clever use of projection really helped set the scene.
Blackpool girl Lara Denning’s portrayal of Anne was a real standout performance, infusing the character with plenty of wit and humour. Her powerful vocal performance added emotional weight to the songs, making her scenes particularly memorable, with a highlight in the second half when she sang the Celine Dion hit “That’s the way it is”. Matt Cardle, as William Shakespeare, brought charisma and more wit to the musical, skilfully navigating the blend of humour and drama that makes the show so memorable.
In his first musical theatre tour, Ranj Singh who plays Lance added a delightful comic element to the production, winning over the audience with his charming presence and (un)convincing French accent!
A key element that elevated “&Juliet” from other jukebox musicals was the seamless integration of Max Martin’s iconic pop hits into the narrative. Writer David West Read masterfully wove these familiar songs into the storyline, using them not just as musical interludes but as a means to drive the plot and develop the characters. This clever use of the music made the transition from dialogue to song feel natural and meaningful, enriching the storytelling and resonating with the audience.
&Juliet offers theatregoers the perfect blend of comedy, glitz, popular songs and very impressive dancing making for a vibrant and enjoyable night out. The talented cast, particularly Denning, Cardle, and Singh, brought the characters to life with passion and skill with the show offering a fresh and entertaining take on a timeless story. At the end of the night the audience were thoroughly entertained with everyone on their feet as the show drew to a magnificent close with anthems from Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £23.75
&Juliet is at Blackpool Opera House until 27th July 2024.
For more information or to book tickets visit: https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/juliet/ or call the box office on 0844 770 0593
Winter Gardens Blackpool, Church Street, Blackpool, FY11HU