& Juliet Musical
Date: 2nd November 2019 - 28th March 2020
Location: Shaftesbury Theatre
Running Time: 2hrs 30 minutes
The musical presents an alternative ending to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, really asking ourselves the question: what if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning…
In the musical we see Juliet choose not to die after Romeo but rather ran away to Paris. A woman choosing a path of self-discovery, what could be more beautiful than that?
The musical entices us with a very modern rewrite of the slightly overbearing love story, with a plot that showcases Juliet overcoming her heartbreak of Romeo by running off on a whirlwind trip of romance and soul-searching. Millennial cliche, I know.
Starring as Juliet in this new musical is Miriam-Teak Lee, who was awarded best actress at The Stage Debut Awards for her role as Claire DeLoone in On the Town at Regent’s Park Open-air Theatre. She is also one of the stars of the original cast of Hamilton (Victoria Palace). What a treat and a delight she was when we met her backstage, she is as powerfully energetic in person, as her voice is on stage.
The musical features the music of the hit chart-topping writer Max Martin, who remixes the story of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (who doesn't love Britney’s classic, ''Oops I did it again''), putting one of the doomed lovers front and centre as she heroically re-writes her tragic conclusion.
The songs featured aren't your casual Thaikosvky (ahem!) but are by artists such as Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, Ke$ha, Jessie J, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson. Buckle up for surprises! The album will be released on 20 November.
& Juliet was watched at the Manchester Opera House.
Location:
Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8DP
Nearest Station:
Tottenham Court Road Station
Words by Christine Barnett
Photography by Jelena Fairweather
Global cinema platform MUBI and intersectional feminist publication Polyester kicked off Halloween week with a hauntingly glamorous launch event for the much-anticipated body-horror film The Substance at The Standard.