Forget Tina, Priscilla, and Mamma Mia! The Jukebox Musical is getting a Seventeenth Century twist as Shakespeare Gets His Groove On!
There’s no playwright like William Shakespeare. The 17th Century Bard’ is the most influential and significant writer in the world of theatre. His works such as Macbeth, Hamlet and Julius Caesar are embraced through all walks of life. As such, his plays are often updated and adapted into contemporary settings, including the films West Side Story, 10 Things I Hate About You and even The Lion King.
In our recent times of social woke awareness, the adaptations have evolved to include sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and re-imaginings. Such is the case with & Juliet, a coming of age, jukebox musical written by famed songwriter David West Reid.
In this continued story of Romeo & Juliet, the latter doesn’t die, but instead moves to Paris and finds a new lover, somewhat spurned after discovering Romeo wasn’t all he seemed.
First premiering in 2019 in the UK, this second chance at life scenario is full of many twists and turns, including Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway beseeching her husband to give Juliet a better treatment. Having already won three Laurence Olivia Awards, & Juliet is set to give Australian audiences a taste of re-imagined theatre, similar to other productions such as Six, Hamilton and even a recent reworking of Cinderella.
“Shakespeare’s plays are timeless” – Rob Mills.
For the Australian production, produced by the Michael Cassel Group, an ensemble of well-known performers have taken on the iconic roles including Shakespeare himself, played by Rob Mills (Hairspray).
“The biggest challenge with any new production is trying to make it your own,” says Mills.
“But it’s also about starying true to the original concept of the character, especially one like Shakespeare. I love the direction and creative freedom we’ve been given. It’s also the first time I’ve done an English accent in a play before, so, I’ve had to work on a voice that sounds authentic to me and the character.”
“Shakespeare’s plays are timeless,” says Mills.
“They speak of love, politics, friends, family and the dynamics of human beings, including relationships, which are all varied in tone. His works also open up audiences, like all good art does, in a way for them to ponder their thoughts and feelings. Even pin-pointing that thing you weren’t quite sure of how to speak aloud.”
The lead cast also includes Casey Donovan (RENT), Hayden Tee (Matilda) and Amy Lehpamer (The Who’s Tommy). Blake Appelqvist (Bonnie & Clyde) and Lorinda May Merrypor (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) play the quintessential roles of Romeo and Juliet.
“Shakespeare was an innovator of his own time, and I think he’d love that his work is evolving” – Lorinda May Merrypor
For Merrypor, who graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Shakespeare is a genuine classic, who’s works stand the test of time.
“I think Shakespeare’s plays are classic for a reason,” says Merrypor.
“There are so many universal and timeless themes that are still relatable to the human experience, like love and second chances, which are two of the themes we run with in & Juliet.”
“Shakespeare was an innovator of his own time, and I think he’d love that his work is evolving, and able to still make waves so long after originally written. I think he would love & Juliet!”
In the role of Romeo, Blake Appelqvist likewise shares a love for Shakespeare and his place in the modern world.
“This production is new, and most audiences haven’t formed an opinion on it yet, or even know what it is,” says Appelqvist.
“But I think that’s also the benefit of modern musicals, in that we get to create something brand new and help inform that opinion. I think audiences have been wanting new musicals here for a long time, and having a refreshing take on the most famous love story ever told, feels like the perfect night out.”
& Juliet also brings Shakespeare into the contemporary world of the jukebox musical, thanks to the music of songwriter Max Martin. His songs such as I Kissed a Girl (Katy Perry), Everybody (Backsteet Boys), Confident (Demi Lovato) and It’s My Life (Bon Jovi) all play a role in piecing the story together.
“With Max Martin songs as the score, I researched a lot of current k-pop groups and classic 90’s boybands,” says Appelqvist.
“I wanted to find the rock star energy of Romeo and looked at what makes the best love songs ‘timeless’ and parallel Shakespeare’s cannon. This musical takes Romeo’s essence and expands on it in a way that modernises the character. I discovered more and more about the Romeo that’s being made and how unique they are to our time and to our show.”
“I wanted to find the rock star energy of Romeo” – Blake Appelqvist
Granted, there are the purists who will find & Juliet too surreal and designed to appease the woke-minded Millennials. But Shakespeare travelled that very road, even risking controversy. Othello questioned misogyny, The Tempest, slavery and Twelfth Night gender fluidity and sexuality.
At the end of the day, or rather show, one can’t help but imagine the biggest bravo would come from the Bard himself.
& Juliet is playing at the Regent Theatre Melbourne
For more visit: andjuliet.com.au
