‘& Juliet’: A Lively Meta Musical That Refuses Tragedy
Image: Poster for SATC's production of '& Juliet'
Stage Artz Theatre Company presents a high-energy production of & Juliet, a joyous jukebox reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. Emmy-winning writer David West Read’s chaotic musical, set to everyone’s favourite hits from legendary pop songwriter Max Martin, turns doom into a rollercoaster of empowerment.
Stage Artz’s cast of young theatrefolk tackles the show with enthusiasm, sharp timing, and sheer commitment, under the direction of Samantha Neaves and Jeremy Curtin, with choreography by Amy Curtin.
The play immediately establishes a playful, bustling energy as the ensemble mills around on stage in cleverly mixed eras of costumes (think corsets meet bomber jackets). Until the arrival of Will Shakespeare (Thomas Verschuer) belting Backstreet Boys‘ Larger Than Life sets a wobbly tone but the ensemble quickly finds rhythm and draws the audience in.
Soon, the story takes shape when Anne Hathaway (Miriam Gonzaga) refuses to let her husband’s tragic ending stand. Juliet deserves to find and live her best life, not suicidal despair over a failed four-day romance.
And so, Juliet runs away to Paris with her friends April, Anne’s self insert, non-binary May (Gabe Bartlett), and irrepressible Nurse Angelique (Janina Harlock) guided by Will and Anne’s meta-rewrites, adding much comedy and chaos along the way.
Performances are the heart of the show. Wood hits the stage with…Baby One More Time mixing powerhouse vocals with perfect teen angst comic beats—even if repeated anthems leave Juliet a little one-note.
Gonzaga’s Anne brings warmth and grounding, particularly in quieter but nonetheless fiery exchanges with Verschuer’s Will, while Jake Rouland‘s brief appearance as a resurrected Romeo is hilariously smarmy and memorably theatrical.
Every player shines with hilarity and nearly every couple sizzles with chemistry, but the undisputed standouts are Marcus Hurley’s boisterous Lance Du Bois and Hamerlok’s squealing Angelique.
Their outrageous antics, relentless energy and borderline inappropriate chemistry dominate every scene—anchoring the show’s humour and heart from the moment they land on stage.
Bartlett’s powerful vocals soar above a tightly coordinated ensemble that deliver consistent laughs and musical precision—and special shout out to Issy Anderson’s Benvolio whose overly emotional hypeman antics add an extra dose of laugh-out-loud moments as
Musical highlights land hard: Angelique and Lance’s Teenage Dream/Break Free mashup duet keeps the audience roaring, Romeo’s Living on a Prayer entrance is a showstopper, the I Want It That Way reprise lifts the energy, and Juliet’s Roar finale closes the night with full commitment.
Some songs dip in momentum and the choreography slips occasionally, but the ensemble keeps the show moving with commitment and timing.
The biggest flaw is technical: occasional pitch issues, overpowered backing tracks, and uneven mic work.
Yet clever blocking, expressive lighting, and the cast’s unwavering commitment keep the show moving, making the small theatre feel full and energetic despite a clearly limited budget.
For a pro-am, Stage Artz Theatre Co’s & JULIET delivers a lively night of theatre for all, leaving audiences humming, laughing, and thoroughly entertained, even when the show wobbles—all while supporting a good cause.
Stage Artz Theatre Co’s & Juliet is on till 28 February at Zenith Theatre.
