MUSIC THEATRE
Music & Lyrics by Max Martin & friends, Book by David West Read
Regent
Theatre Melbourne from Feb (Bookings currently available until 14 May 2023)
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars:****1/2
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| Problem, Can't Feel My Face - Lorinda May Merrypor with Original Australian Company & JULIET. cr Daniel Boud |
If you take out the word “Romeo” from the title of Shakespeare’s famous romantic tragedy, you get simply & Juliet. In this time of shifting the focus from “the white male patriarchy”, it was only a matter of time before Romeo, and in fact, Shakespeare himself, were relegated to minor characters in their own play.
& Juliet is a jukebox musical that works better than other jukebox musicals because the 20+ pop songs, all astonishingly co-written by Max Martin, are cunningly incorporated into the new narrative (book by David West Read) which is based on Juliet surviving her formerly tragic Shakespearean end, surviving Romeo to go on and “live her best life”, make her own choices, reject parental control (which she has already done in Shakespeare’s play by marrying Romeo secretly) and travel to Paris with her new pals, gender-fluid best friend, May (Jesse Dutlow), and her brassy nurse, Angelique (Casey Donovan).
Meanwhile, Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway (Amy Lehpamer), urges him to give Juliet a new start in an independent life; Anne essentially dramaturgs the new play, teasing her husband with her novel ideas.
This Australian production, deftly and lovingly directed by Luke Sheppard, is a vivid spectacle, with electrifying and pulsating choreography by Jennifer Weber, and performed by a youthful and diverse ensemble that is deliciously enthusiastic and ecstatic to be on stage. (Seven of the cast are debutantes in professional performance and had their own fan club on opening night.)
As Juliet, the multi-talented Lorinda May Merrypor is ebullient, vivacious and holds the stage with her bold presence and versatile voice. As Anne, Lehpamer is magnetic and her vocal range and control are exceptional, as always. Rob Mills as Shakespeare, finds the lightness and fun in the character as he lurks around the fringes of the narrative, trying desperately to maintain control of his play.
The set design by Soutra Gilmour is an audacious blend of Shakespearean, Parisian and West End with its neon signs, one of which cleverly transforms from “Romeo and Juliet” to simply “& Juliet”.
This appears to be a show that will appeal to 14 to 26-year-olds. (The 20ish young man beside me said he thought he was the target audience) but it will appeal to any audience that wants an effervescent musical to distract from the everyday – and you can get up and dance in your seats at the finale.
by Kate Herbert
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| & JULIET 3-Rob Mills & Cast -Credit Daniel Boud |
Lorinda May Merrypor Juliet
Amy Lehpamer Anne
Rob Mills Shakespeare
Casey Donovan Angélique
Hayden Tee (he/they) Lance
Blake Appelqvist (they/them) Romeo
Jesse Dutlow (they/them) May
Yashith Fernando (he/him) Francois
Georgia Anderson (she/they) Susanna
Jordan Koulos (he/him) Richard
Sarah Murr (she/her) Lady Capulet / Nell
Coby Njoroge (he/him) Augustine
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