& Juliet – Hull New Theatre

Hull New Theatre’s Autumn/Winter 2024 season got under way on Monday evening with the exuberant musical, & Juliet.

After a fantastic run in London’s West End, & Juliet embarks on its first UK and Ireland tour, starting in Hull.

We were kept waiting for quite a while before the auditorium doors opened, which meant the 7.30pm start stretched to 7.45pm to allow us all to be seated.

The stage setting – a huge, colourfully lit “& Juliet” sign backed by an equally large black and white video screen depicting drawings of London – remained amazing throughout.

There can’t be a person on the planet who hasn’t heard of William Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed lovers, Romeo & Juliet.

A happy ending it ain’t. But what would happen if the greatest love story ever told turned into the greatest love story that was never told? Until now …

As the first energetic cast members bounded on to the stage on Monday, accompanied by loud, mesmeric music played live by accomplished musicians, it was action and colour all the way.

& Juliet centres around husband and wife team, William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, whose artistic differences focus on William’s preferred tragic ending as opposed to Anne’s happier, life-affirming conclusion.

William (Matt Cardle), so used to writing tragedies, cannot understand his wife’s take on what is one of his most famous writings.

I vaguely remember a long-ago rumour saying it was Anne who actually wrote the Bard’s plays. After watching Lara Denning’s assertive portrayal of her in & Juliet, I can well believe that to be true. Talk about (16th century) girl power!

Talking of which, finding her own power is Juliet (Gerardine Sacdalan), whose determination grows by the minute.

Many characters help (or hinder?) Juliet on her quest to be her own woman. There is Romeo (Jack  Danson), dead and/or alive; nurse Angeliqué (Sandra Marvin); Juliet’s suitor François (Kyle Cox) and his father Lance (Ranj Singh); and last but not least, May (Jordan Broatch), who harbours a not-so-secret crush on one of the above.

Upon the most magical stage setting, featuring giant chandeliers and a glittery crescent moon both descending from on high, plus a beautiful carriage drawn by a carousel horse, in between flashing lights and glorious video backdrops, all the above characters play their part in bringing Juliet’s dream to fruition.

Music takes the lead many times with pop anthems including hits from Katy Perry (Roar, I Kissed A Girl), Britney Spears (Baby One More Time), to name just two of the 20-odd songs in the production.

Without exception, all singing voices on the night were exceptional and credit must go to the sound engineers who ensured we could hear every single tuneful word sung.

Amusingly, costumes varied between doublet and hose, modern trainers, tracksuit bottoms, a codpiece and floaty period dresses.

I cannot fault any of the cast mentioned above who are all super-talented with singing voices to die for. If I had to choose a favourite it would be Denning whose Mrs Shakespeare was characterful, amusing, naughty, demanding and crafty. I loved her.

I admit it took me a while to really fall in love with & Juliet, but by the production’s end I was totally smitten.

A standing ovation was a given and it was a very happy audience, most of us covered in golden tickertape having fallen from above, that headed out into a drizzly Hull night.

Running until Saturday, September 28th, 2024; 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday, 26th and Saturday, 28th. Tickets cost from £20. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 23rd September 2024

North west End UK Rating: