Review: & JULIET, Shaftesbury Theatre - Cast Change Media Night
Photo credit: Johan Persson
Da Bois Band is certainly BACK as & Juliet celebrated welcoming over 25 brand new cast members to this ‘Larger Than Life’ show, which explores what would happen if Juliet didn't take her own life at the end of Shakespeare's most famous play and instead went on to quite literally live her best life in Paris.
To describe this show in one word would be to say that it's free. It celebrates freedom in so many ways. The excellently diverse cast are clearly having the time of their lives on stage, and even those sat at the back of the grand circle can see. The freedom to express ones true self and be celebrated for it with cheers from thousands; the freedom that comes with empowering women and people of colour into roles on the West End that make no performance out of the fact - they simply are there, as they should be.
As well as the vibrant ensemble welcoming new cast members, the main cast has been reformed by welcoming Tom Francis, Keala Settle and Julius D'Silva into the roles of Romeo, The Nurse and Lance respectively, who certainly deliver in those roles.
Francis brings both a fresh face and a gritty rock and roll voice to Romeo that perfectly suits songs such as ‘It's My Life’ and ‘Everybody’. He is also able to soften up for numbers such as Act 2 opener ‘Love Me Like You Do’. He fits into the role of Romeo brilliantly.
Settle and D'Silva are also epic new additions to the cast. Their energy and chemistry is astounding. Of course, Keala has the vocal chops, instantly recognisable from The Greatest Showman. Experiencing her voice live though is something else entirely! & Juliet really gives her the chance to show off her range as a performer, going from high energy numbers such as ‘Teenage Dream/Break Free to F****** Perfect’ (which brings out unexpected emotion throughout the audience).
We also can't review this show once more without mentioning the gift that keeps on giving - Oliver Tompsett as Shakespeare. You could spend the entire show watching this man in the background and he'll be doing something to make you laugh. There isn't a moment on stage when he isn't completely in character from the moment he rises from the floor. The comedy and life he brings to this role will always bring a smile to our faces (even if he did poke himself in the eye with his sunglasses, yes Oliver, we saw you!)
If you've ever walked past the Shaftesbury Theatre, you'll know it's quite literally luminescent with pink neon signs... The set (Soutra Gilmour), costumes (Paloma Young) and staging (Director Luke Sheppard) do wonders to meet the expectations created by the signage of this show. Audiences are overjoyed by the audacity of David West Read's book that constantly twists and turns like a true Shakespeare play would. It truly is camp entertainment for the masses.
We are certainly ‘Confident’ that ‘Everybody’ had an amazing night as the energy was through the roof. This production quite literally explodes into the room, filling the auditorium with an atmosphere you'll struggle to find anywhere else. That's the main selling point of & Juliet. It's an incredible night out that will send you out onto the cold London streets buzzing and asking when you can book tickets to see it again.
Never fear Besties, we have your answer - book now here!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Callum Wallace
