With songs coming fast and furious in this new musical, which is on its way to West End at the beginning of November, there is no time for us to contemplate what William Shakespeare would have thought about this show, stemmed from a book by David West Read.

The cast is led by Miriam-Teak Lee as Juliet, a heroine who is very much alive during this incarnation, as the show takes us on a new story of ‘what if’s?’ Bemused Shakespeare (Oliver Tompsett) shares his quill with Anne Hathaway (Cassidy Jansen) as we meet Juliet’s nurse (Melanie Barrie) a woman who is a fierce protector of her charge while at the same time experiencing the joy of a lost love affair with Lance (David Bedella).

Romeo (Jordan Luke Gage) arrives on stage in a blaze of musical glory as we are immersed in the prolific catalogue of Marten music, poor Romeo is in for a bit of a shock when he realises that perhaps Juliet’s heart didn’t hang around too long before finding a potential love interest in Lance’s son (Tim Mahendran). Juliet’s best friend May (Arun Blair-Manget) is best friend and confident who also has a secret love, but will it be realised?

The whole cast with their superb powerful voices provide us with outstanding renditions of pop anthems from the last 30 years, including …”Baby One More Time”, “Everybody” (Backstreet’s Back), “Love Me Like You Do” and “Can’t Feel My Face”.
Songs previously performed by artists such as Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, Kesha, Jessie J, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson, are re-orchestrated and performed by the cast, not only in the show but also on their forthcoming album, which is due to be released at the end of November.

A seemingly more contrived plot in the first half of the show gives way after the interval when the songs have a better fit and the characters become more rounded. We can identify with their longings, dreams and aspirations. There is no original song material, just rip-roaring numbers from passed chart hits and it could be argued that they could be a vehicle to carry any storyline from any era. However, the message is clear, anyone can take control and write their own story, even Juliet!

Inventive and resourceful set design by Souter Gilmour takes us from Verona to a stage fit for any pop concert. And there is creative costume design by Paloma Young and energetic choreography from Jennifer Weber.

It was a delight to see the musicians also invited on stage for the finale. And the audience certainly showed their approval with high hand clapping and a standing ovation.

& Juliet is a rebellious explosion of fun and glorious popular music in a mix that demonstrates when it comes to love – timing, place and choice are of equal importance.

& Juliet is at the Opera House Manchester from 10 September to 12 October 2019.

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That’s the premise of new musical, ‘& Juliet’, premiering in Manchester in September before heading to London’s Shaftesbury Theatre. We talk to award-winning actress, Miriam-Teak Lee, who takes on the lead role of Juliet, fresh from her run with the original cast of Hamilton.

How is the classic story of Romeo & Juliet reimagined in & Juliet and how where does it start in terms of the original play?   

Miriam-Teak: “& Juliet re-imagines the ending to Romeo and Juliet and asks, what if this was just the beginning for Juliet. & Juliet is a play within a play so it starts with Shakespeare (Oliver Tompsett) telling his fellow actors the ending to his new play Romeo and Juliet, when Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife (Cassidy Janson) hears, she asks why don’t we rewrite that ending… and continue on. She explains that Juliet is still young and has her whole life ahead of her, so why would she kill herself because of one boyfriend. So as she takes the quill and begins to write, we see Juliet at Romeo’s tomb, distraught and contemplating the dagger. At which point she sings ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time ’, as she looks to the stars to ‘give her a sign ’, .”

Juliet sounds like a strong, independent character and an inspiring role model to women. What does it feel like to play such an exciting lead role in a brand new musical?     

Miriam-Teak: “It feels incredible to play such a strong character. I genuinely believe that Juliet has always had strength but that isn’t necessarily explored in depth in the original Romeo and Juliet, so it is amazing to be able to tell a story that puts a magnifying glass on Juliet’s inner power and journey to self discovery. It’s important that young girls have someone to look up to, to be influenced by, and I really feel that Juliet could really be the inspiration that they need. To know that they can do anything they put their mind to, that they can be in the driving seat of their own life and that there is no limit to their greatness.”

Performing in Hamilton must have been an incredible experience. Was this your West End debut and how did this role help prepare you for playing Juliet? 

Miriam-Teak: “My actual first West End Debut was playing Claire DeLoone in Leonard Bernstein’s On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in Summer 2017. And I was awarded Best Actress in a Musical for that role at The Stage Debut Awards which was incredible. So that role, coupled with being a cover of all the Schuyler Sisters in Hamilton really did prepare me for playing Juliet. It taught me about constantly being aware of all the actors on stage, using my initiative when things went wrong, bouncing off people’s energy, staying true to my character but allowing myself to discover new nuances and relationships, even in the moments when I’m not speaking or singing. And it taught me that the power of whatever you feel on that stage is whatever the audience feel, so never deprive them of the truth.”

The musical features a score from prolific songwriter, Max Martin. What is your favourite track to perform on stage and why?

Miriam-Teak: “With the public performances we have been doing recently, I have been performing Roar quite a lot and that is such a powerful moment in the show for Juliet. I love performing that song because it is the pinnacle moment for Juliet in her search for self discovery. She literally realises in real time the kind of person she used to be, how she used to ‘bite her tongue and hold her breath’ constantly trying to please others, and this is a moment where she says I am going to do as I please and you are all going to watch me succeed! It’s such an empowering moment in the show and the audience will feel that too.”

What can you tell us about what your costume style in & Juliet?

Miriam-Teak: “I love costume designs by Paloma Young, I cannot wait for everyone to see them. It’s a very clever mix of Renaissance and modern day. We have included use of the tight bodices with corsets but shorter skirts and a sporty flare. It’s iconic.”

How much choreography can we expect to see in & Juliet and what kind of dance genres have the creative team drawn upon to create a fresh new musical style? 

Miriam-Teak: “There is so much choreography in this show by the incredible Jennifer Weber! There is definitely a hip hop/commercial/new age style to the choreography that works so effortlessly with Luke Sheppard’s brilliant direction to further the story, to transport us and to absolutely engulf us in this world of wonder.”

Why do you think Manchester audiences in particular will love the musical?

Miriam-Teak: “Manchester is the home of music, seeing so many great artists go there and perform there. I think Manchester will receive the show incredibly and we can’t wait for them to see it first.”

What three words would you use to describe & Juliet?

Miriam-Teak: ” Revolutionary! Spectacle! Inspiring!”

Shakespeare and pop music are a unique combination! How do the two blend together?  

Miriam-Teak: “It combines the greatest pop writer of the 16^th/17^th century with one of the greatest pop writers of the 20^th/21^st century. So I think it’s a pretty iconic blend and one that will stick in people’s minds for years to come.”

What can audiences expect when they come and see & Juliet?

Miriam-Teak: “They can expect to see a whole new outlook on Juliet Capulet, they can expect to have an incredible night, they can expect to laugh their socks off and go on a journey filled with all their favourite songs, sung in a completely different way with a whole new meaning. It’s a show not to be missed!”

& Juliet is at the Opera House, Manchester from Tuesday 10 September to Saturday 12 October 2019.

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