The new performers can be seen from this very week, where they will be playing the role of the nurse, Romeo and Frenchman Lance, respectively. Featuring dozens of pop hits by legendary songwriter Max Martin, the show turns William Shakespeare’s masterpiece upside down in a fresh, uplifting and joyously funny way.
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Girl, nobody cares… The original Anne Hathaway (yep, the movie star has a 500-year-old rival) has messed with her husband William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, and the sweet dagger no longer seems like the solution to their forbidden love. Instead, how about partying down after escaping Verona, in a hysterical glittering production that has become the talk of the town? &Juliet continues to burst audiences into laughter every night in London. But this week it’s more than its comedy and catchy music that’s worth mentioning, as the company has just welcome three new members to their crazy family.
Keala Settle has just made her West End debut in the role of the nurse, followed by worldwide recognition for her participation in the musical film The Greatest Showman (starring Hugh Jackman), in which she performed the song This Is Me. In addition, Tom Francis, who recently starred in the new acclaimed production of Rent, steps in as Romeo, while Julius D’Silva (the Tom Jones musical, What’s New Pussycat and a prolific career in the RSC) will play the amorous Frenchman Lance. They will be accompanied by Miriam-Teak Lee in the title role, as well as Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, Tim Mahendran as Francois, Alex Thomas-Smith as Ma and Cassidy Janson as Anne Hathaway.
Featuring an award-winning creative team, the show is directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights, Rent and What’s New Pussycat?), with a story by David West Read (Netflix’s Schitt’s Creek) and choreography by Jennifer Weber. Fresh, uplifting and joyously funny, & Juliet‘s repertoire is an explosion of dozens of pop anthems penned by legendary composer Max Martin, including Baby One More Time, Since U Been Gone, Roar, It’s My Life, I Want It That Way, and Can’t Stop the Feeling!, apart from the musical’s custom-made song, One More Try.
& Juliet is performed from Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with 2:30 pm matinees on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased on the following link.
First Night Magazine 