Some might say London is a strong competitor to Broadway when it comes down to musicals. Though I have been living in London for over 9 years now, I can count the musicals I have seen on one hand 🙊
My relationship with musicals is complex: I only enjoy them when they are music based plot and not the other way around. For me it all started with Motown, both myself and Will, my then boyfriend now husband went with our parents, that have met for the first time. We thought it was a good idea to go somewhere where they will not have to talk much but have common grounds of enjoyment. Motown did that. We all enjoyed it so much, that Will and myself decided to try going to another one. So we ended up going to School of Rock and honestly, we loved it so much! I fell in love with the kids that were playing that show because they were all so talented and I felt proud as if I was their mom.
Which leads me to & Juliet 💁
Yes, we all know the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. But what if it was different? What if it was adapted to modern time, using some of the most recognizable pop love songs? Well look no further – it exists, and better than I could imagine!
In & Juliet, the story has an additional chapter to what was the ending of the story we all know. This chapter reinvents Juliet’s life after Romeo’s tragic death.
In a modern world where a woman’s choice has value and place, Juliet goes through a self-discovery journey to find her happiness and control of her own fate.
Strapped with surprising characters alongside her, the journey they go through together is completely different from what you usually find in Shakespeare’s work.
It is really refreshing to see casting that is inclusive of all people of color and race. Casting the talented Miriam-Teak Lee as Juliet was the greatest choice. Her performance is absolutely outstanding and refreshing. It’s an all rounded performance with many surprises and acceptance towards the other. Exactly what today’s society need to see more of.
The songs throughout the show are spot on. You wouldn’t believe how well modern-time pop songs can fit with a story from the 1500s. They get a new meaning that fits so well with the story, paired together perfectly and gracefully. I’ve never imagined hearing Britney Spears or Backstreet Boys songs in a musical, let alone a musical based on Shakespeare’s work.
And that’s exactly why it works.
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