Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet (centre) and the cast in & Juliet, credit Matt Crockett
Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre
Performance Date: 31 March 2025
Reviewer: Gemma Fincher
Star Rating: ★★★★★
What if Juliet didn’t die? What if the quill was snatched from Shakespeare’s hand and given to his wife, Anne Hathaway, to rewrite one of the world’s most famous tragedies? Enter &Juliet, a glorious, genre-defying musical that flips the script – literally, and transforms Shakespeare’s tragic heroine into a beacon of empowerment, individuality, and joy.
Fresh from its acclaimed West End run, &Juliet now dazzles as a touring production, proving that this riotous retelling loses none of its brilliance on the road. Lavish staging and exquisite lighting make for a visual feast, effortlessly transporting the audience from Elizabethan England to a neon-soaked pop fantasy. It’s a show that’s as bold in design as it is in message.
At the heart of this production is Lara Denning as Anne Hathaway, not the Oscar-winning actress, but Shakespeare’s oft-overlooked real-life wife. Denning is utterly magnificent. Commanding the stage with wit, warmth, and conviction, her Anne is no passive partner. Instead, she’s the engine of the narrative, challenging her husband to imagine a world where Juliet chooses her own destiny. Denning’s performance is layered, heartfelt, and hilarious, a masterclass in character-driven storytelling.
She is perfectly matched by Jay McGuiness as William Shakespeare. With effortless charm and a swaggering, self-assured energy, McGuiness delivers a performance that’s cheeky and lovable in equal measure. One imagines the Bard himself would be rather pleased with this cocky-yet-charming portrayal.
What of the titular character? Gerardine Sacdalan’s Juliet is nothing short of electric. With a powerhouse voice and a stage presence that radiates confidence, she breathes new life into the role. No longer the tragic ingénue, this Juliet is self-aware, self-assured, and utterly captivating.
Stepping into the role of Romeo for the night, Liam Morris delivers a refreshing and unexpectedly nuanced performance. Traditionally portrayed as the impassioned romantic lead, this Romeo is almost playfully side-lined, his presence central to the plot, yet no longer its gravitational force. Morris leans into this with charisma and charm, embracing the comedic undertones of a man who’s used to being the hero but suddenly finds the story isn’t about him. It’s a clever twist that allows the spotlight to stay firmly on Juliet’s journey, while still making room for Romeo’s antics to delight. Morris navigates this balance effortlessly, bringing a self-aware humour and a fresh energy to the role.
Adding an extra shot of hilarity is Sandra Marvin as Angelique, Juliet’s nurse. Marvin’s comedic timing is nothing short of masterful, her presence lights up the stage, and her powerhouse vocals command attention. She’s a joy to watch, particularly in scenes with Steps’ Lee Latchford-Evans, who plays the dashing (and faux-French) Lance. Latchford-Evans brings true pop pedigree to proceedings and leans into the camp of it all with brilliant self-awareness. Together, the two are a comedic dream team.
Kyle Cox is endearing as the lovably awkward François, whose journey of self-discovery is tender and touching. His arc with the non-binary character May, played by Jordan Broatch is beautifully delivered. Playful yet profound, and a moving nod to Shakespeare’s own love of gender-bending roles. It’s a celebration of individuality and authenticity, wrapped in a romantic subplot that feels fresh and inclusive.
However, what truly elevates &Juliet is its musical heartbeat, an irresistible jukebox score crafted from the chart-topping hits of legendary Swedish songwriter Max Martin. You may not know his name, but you absolutely know his work: …Baby One More Time, Since U Been Gone, Roar, It’s My Life, and Larger Than Life are just a few of the anthems that underscore this production. It’s a Millennial’s dream setlist, woven seamlessly into the storyline with wit and heart. Like Shakespeare, Martin knows how to channel universal emotions through powerful language, in his case, pop lyrics that resonate across generations.
And Juliet isn’t just a rewrite, it’s a revolution. Vibrant, unapologetic, and fiercely fun, it gives women a voice, a choice, and above all, a future. This is no tragedy – it’s a glittering triumph.
Runs until Saturday 12 April 2025
