&Juliet

Photo Credit: Mirvish Productions

Canadian writer David West Read’s 2019 musical &Juliet is a vibrant jukebox reimagining of Juliet Capulet’s (from Romeo and Juliet) fate. Depicting an Anne Hathaway (William Shakespeare's life — not the iconic Devil Wears Prada actress!) who challenges her husband's chosen ending, &Juliet follows Juliet and her friends, May, Anne, and the nurse, as they embark on a journey to Paris, experiencing life on their own terms. Featuring hit songs by Katy Perry, Brittney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and more, &Juliet celebrates the spirit and impact of pop culture with a talented and dynamic Canadian cast.

Filled with strenuous choreography and demanding vocals, I was blown away by the cast's consistently booming energy that captivated me from my seat in the audience. The seamless fusion of audience engagement, imposing scenography, elaborate costumes, character powerhouses, and commanding ensemble elevates the production as a triumph of musical excellence.

Even at the start, the audience knew that they were a part of the story. Judith, played by Elysia Cruz, had casual interactions with the audience, dangling legs off the stage and lounging in a relaxed posture. In addition to Cruz’s audience engagement, the dance captain, Taran Kim, showed off some rigorous dance moves, which were received with excited applause from the audience. Kim’s dancing showcased precision and passion, effectively building up anticipation for the upcoming performance. As the rest of the cast entered the stage at various times, the audience’s eagerness only grew.

Adding to the audience’s early anticipation were the breathtaking and sophisticated physical and visual designs by the set designer Soutra Gilmour, which continuously caught my eye. The vibrant graffiti on the brick walls highlights a modern aesthetic and the wild and free spirit of the story, with characters who dare to rebel against societal norms. The mechanical set—comprising a rotating elevated floor that the cast dances on, dangling chandeliers which Juliet hangs on, trap lifts to have smooth/dramatic transitions, and rising/descending swings—not only shows the technical perfection of the cast’s storytelling but also introduces dynamic motion and amplifies the emotional intensity of each scene. The well-coordinated lighting surrounding the perimeter of the stage shone brightly and added emotional depth of crucial scenes. When Romeo looked from stage left to stage right, the light bulbs shone then dimmed, following his hesitation. Moreover, the visual projection covering the upper walls of the stage showed animations with clarity. Memorably, the fluctuating pixels during some songs and the intermission mimic the syncopated energy of the songs. Together, these mechanical and visual mechanisms transformed the stage into a working canvas and a vessel for emotion and mastery.

The costumes designed by Paloma Young also glimmered throughout the theatre, as the pop colours combined with quick changes made this performance a magical spectacle. Each costume, from the leads to the ensemble, was intricately crafted; the puffy mini-dresses of Juliet and Judith blended playful extravagance with modern elegance. Moreover, the transitions were seamless, like Juliet’s long wedding dress that fell into a pink puffy mini dress with an ombré gradient effect, fading from yellow to pink. The entire costume was adorned with gems that sparkled viciously with the stage lights. Even more striking was the feather that covered the upper chest line, which alluded to the quill and rewritten narrative that Anne (Julia Mclellan) eventually broke. The appearance of this feather on the costume signalled that this story was finally Juliet’s narrative, cleverly underscoring that, while Shakespeare and Hathaway both influence the story, Juliet’s journey, her choices, and her empowerment ultimately belong to only herself. As a character, she is able to take a life of her own.

Performance-wise, Anne Hathaway, played by Julia Mclellan, was a musical powerhouse, from her belting voice to her freestyling moves and her audience-engaged acting, which left the audience in awe at her natural embodiment of Anne. Besides going full out on robust and synchronized movements during ensemble dances, her improv moments were always filled with her creative interpretations of the musicality during key moments, as she also incorporated levels and utilized all of her body parts. For instance, her dancing matched her character’s personality, as her sometimes wild movements, shaking her head around and throwing her arms crazily in the air, were technically accurate but also showed her free spirit. Moreover, Mclellan captivated the crowd. During hilarious moments between Shakespeare (George Krissa) and her, she would always take a second from their dialogue to deliver quizzical facial expressions to the audience, breaking the fourth wall and letting them in on the joke and Anne’s growth, which was often received with chuckles of delight. Moreover, her voice carried the production’s humour, as she always delivered her lines with subtle inflections and small chuckles that highlighted her witty character. Evidently, Mclellan stole the show through her captivating and authentic performance, leaving the audience loving every second of her stage presence.

While Mclellan was a star, the ensemble shone just as brightly. The ensemble executed each vital emotion with meaningful and creative expressions, meticulous synchronization, and a strong understanding of musicality. During their first dance, the ensemble’s facial expressions and meticulously energetic movements showcased clean lines that hit all the beats and set the stage for the rest of the performance. These facial expressions never faded. With the ensemble staying in character, it is no shock that the ensemble dominated the narrative and delivered a compelling storyline. Crucially, downstage and upstage both showcased the same commitment, regardless of their visibility. The ensemble also performed flawless transitions to different formations that almost seemed like muscle memory, where, without looking and still going full-out, the cast was able to shift into another perfectly spaced set-up.

Ultimately, &Juliet is a delightfully rewatchable performance that truly embodies the magic of theatre. Indeed, no two performances are ever the same. However, based on what I saw on the night I attended, I believe that one thing this production will always do is deliver an unmatchable charm that makes every show memorable. It is undeniable that the interactive elements, dazzling set and costume design, and stellar acting from both the leads and ensemble will hook all audiences from beginning to end.