Disclosure: We were gifted press tickets to attend this performance, but as always, the thoughts are entirely our own.
What if Juliet didn’t end her story with Romeo? That’s the question posed by & Juliet, a bright and bold musical that flips the Shakespeare tragedy on its head and arms it with a pop-powered playlist and a whole lot of sass.
Now on its first UK tour, the show has landed at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and it’s easy to see why audiences across the country have fallen for it. It’s vibrant, empowering and gloriously fun from start to finish.
A relaxed start with serious stagecraft
The tone is set early. With characters casually chatting, waving at the crowd and even drinking tea on stage before the action really gets underway, there’s a cheeky informality that welcomes the audience in. But once the lights go up, the scale and polish of the production quickly shine through.
From the smoky, moody stage to the fast-paced scene changes, it’s visually stunning. Paloma Young’s costumes are rich and theatrical, the lighting by Howard Hudson is punchy and precise, and the whole thing moves with an infectious energy thanks to Jennifer Weber’s choreography.
A chart-topping soundtrack that hits every note
The show’s musical backbone is a setlist of pop bangers penned by Max Martin and friends. Every track is reworked and cleverly positioned in the storyline. Songs like “…Baby One More Time,” “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” are delivered with heart and humour.
What’s clever is how the lyrics never feel shoehorned in. The songs are funny, poignant, and in some scenes, surprisingly powerful. Anne Hathaway (played by Lara Denning) delivers a spine-tingling rendition of “That’s the Way It Is” in the second half, earning a well-deserved burst of applause.
And when “Roar” finally arrives as part of the finale, it’s a proper goosebump moment. It’s fierce, full of fire, and ends the show on a real high.
A standout cast full of heart and humour
Gerardine Sacdalan is nothing short of captivating as Juliet. We didn’t know her background before the show, but wow, what a leading lady. She carries the emotional arc with charm, strength and knockout vocals.
Jay McGuiness, as William Shakespeare, strikes just the right balance of wit and warmth. His chemistry with Lara Denning gives the show a playful centre, and their back-and-forth provides some of the best comedic beats of the night.
We also have to mention Jordan Broatch as May, heartfelt and brilliant, and the charismatic Lee Latchford-Evans as Lance, whose stage presence and comic timing brought real sparkle to the ensemble.
A boyband moment that brings the house down
Just when you think & Juliet can’t squeeze in any more surprises, on comes the De Bois Band. It’s part boyband spoof, part pop concert, and entirely hilarious. The timing, choreography and vocal blend are tight, but it’s the delivery that steals it, knowingly cheesy, full of swagger, and absolutely adored by the audience.
There were big smiles, big cheers, and even some dancing in the seats as the band powered through “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” If there’s a single moment that captures the joyous heart of the show, this might be it
Packed with laughs, punchy lines and standing ovations
The script, written by David West Read, is full of clever puns and playful nods to Shakespeare, but it also isn’t afraid to tackle identity, self-worth and finding your voice. It’s a coming-of-age story in glittering disguise, with just enough depth to balance out the sparkle.
And while most of the show is family friendly, there are a few swear words and the explicit version of P!nk’s “Perfect,” so worth bearing in mind if you’re bringing younger children.
The final numbers brought everyone to their feet. There was singing, clapping, dancing in the aisles, and an atmosphere that felt more like a concert than a curtain call.
That’s a wrap
& Juliet is more than a jukebox musical. It’s fresh, funny, fabulously well-performed and feels absolutely made for the moment. If you’re looking for a night of high-energy theatre with a serious feel-good factor, don’t miss this one!
The show runs at the Regent Theatre until Saturday, 17th May – so grab your tickets at – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/and-juliet/regent-theatre/calendar/2025-05-13
