There's life after Romeo. This explosive new musical flips the script on the world’s greatest love story and asks: what if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
& Juliet does not simply reinterpret Shakespeare. It blasts his most famous tragedy into a world of glitter, denim, and pure pop adrenaline. From the moment the audience enters the theatre, the production makes its intentions clear. This is not a night for quiet reflection. This is a night for joy, noise, and the kind of giddy energy that makes you want to dance in your seat. The show embraces that mission with an unrefined and irresistible exuberance that sweeps the entire room into its orbit.
The experience begins even before the story starts. Instead of the usual dimming lights and polite murmurs, the audience is greeted with a pre-show warm-up that blends choreography, hype, and playful interaction. It is a clever way to get everyone settled early, but more importantly, it primes the room with excitement. By the time the opening number hits, the crowd is already buzzing.
And what an opening it is. The cast launches into “Larger Than Life” with such precision and force that it feels like the theatre has been plugged directly into a power socket. The harmonies are tight, the dancing is explosive, and the tone is unmistakable. This is not your high school English teacher’s Shakespeare. This is a pop concert disguised as a musical, and it is here to have a good time.
The premise is simple but brilliant. Instead of dying for a four-day romance, Juliet decides she has better things to do. Her story becomes one of self-discovery, friendship, and second chances, all while Shakespeare and his wife Anne argue over who gets to control the narrative. Their tug-of-war adds a playful meta layer to the show, turning the writing process itself into a comedy of ego, insecurity, and unexpected tenderness.
But the real engine of & Juliet is the music. Max Martin’s catalogue is a treasure chest of millennial nostalgia, and the show uses it with gleeful abandon. “I Want It That Way,” “Roar,” “Domino,” “Since U Been Gone,” “Oops... I Did It Again,” "Love Me Like You Do,” “Break Free,” and many more appear throughout the story. Each song lands with a jolt of recognition, often prompting gasps or cheers as the first notes ring out. It becomes a joyful pop roulette where the thrill lies in guessing which anthem will appear next.
What makes it work is how cleverly the songs are woven into the story. They are not dropped in for novelty. They are used to heighten emotion, punch up comedy, or underscore character choices. A breakup becomes a power ballad. A moment of empowerment becomes a stadium roar. A comedic misunderstanding becomes a Britney Spears wink. The show understands the emotional shorthand of pop music and uses it to full theatrical effect.
The cast is uniformly excellent, but Juliet herself is a standout. She is played with a mix of vulnerability, strength, and vocal firepower that anchors the entire production. Her voice soars effortlessly through the pop catalogue, and her presence commands the stage even in the show’s wildest moments. Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s sharp, witty, and emotionally grounded wife, brings nuance and warmth to every scene she touches. Shakespeare himself is a comedic delight, strutting and sulking with equal flair as he tries to maintain control of a story that keeps slipping away from him.
The ensemble is a force of nature. Their choreography is fast, precise, and relentless, delivered with the kind of enthusiasm that makes the audience feel like they are watching a world-class pop tour. Every movement is crisp, every formation is dynamic, and the sheer stamina on display is astonishing. They fill the stage with life, colour, and personality, turning even transitional moments into bursts of spectacle.
Visually, the show is a feast. The set is built around arches, platforms, and a rotating stage that keeps the action flowing at a breathless pace. Digital screens and clever lighting transform the space from Verona to Paris to a glitter-soaked dreamscape without ever slowing the momentum. The costumes lean into punk-inspired denim, bold colours, and playful embellishments, giving the show a rebellious and youthful aesthetic that perfectly matches its tone.
But the true magic of & Juliet lies in the audience. This is a show that invites people to let go. To dance. To laugh. To sing under their breath. To remember what it felt like to scream pop lyrics in their bedroom as a teenager. By the finale, the entire theatre is on its feet, not out of obligation but out of sheer, uncontainable joy. It is rare to see an audience so completely unguarded and so willing to surrender to the moment.
What makes the show special is that it never pretends to be something it is not. It is not trying to be high art or a faithful Shakespearean adaptation. It is a celebration of pop music, second chances, choosing your own story, and refusing to let tragedy define you. It is loud, heartfelt, silly, empowering, and gloriously over the top. It knows exactly what it is, and it embraces that identity with total confidence.
In a world that often feels heavy, & Juliet is a breath of glitter-filled air. It is a reminder that joy is not frivolous. Joy is necessary. And sometimes the most radical thing a story can do is let its heroine live.
& Juliet is not Shakespeare as you know it. It is Shakespeare remixed, recharged, and blasted through a confetti cannon. And it is an absolute triumph.
Tickets are on-sale from andjuliet.co.nz. See the show schedule below!
Auckland: The Civic – 9 April to 3 May
Wellington: St James Theatre – 9 May to 24 May
Christchurch: Isaac Theatre Royal – 30 May to 13 June
Review written by Alex Moulton