I definitely Want It That Way!

Directed by Luke Sheppard

Story by: David West Read

Photo credits: Matt Crockett

Review by Kelly Smith for A View To A Kiln

& Juliet at The Regent Theatre.

Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Created by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?

Back in 2019, whilst working in Manchester, I heard about a new musical that was premiering at the Opera House. Based on one of Shakespeare’s most famous works, & Juliet focuses on what might have been if (spoiler alert) Juliet hadn’t killed herself at the end of Romeo and Juliet. To my regret, I never managed to see it while it was in Manchester, or even when it opened on the West End, but six years and a lot of FOMO later, I finally got to watch it on the Stoke stop of its UK tour!

What really piqued my interest when I first heard about the show was that it would feature the music of Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin. If you’re thinking “Nope, never heard of him”, then think again. This man is responsible for some of the most iconic pop songs from the last 30 years.

“Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears - that was him. “I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry – yep, he did that too. Almost all of the Backstreet Boys’ back catalogue – do you see where I’m going with this?

Whether you realise it or not, his music will have played a part of your life since the early 90’s, which makes the songs used in the show as much of a character as any person onstage. Speaking of Juliet, played by newcomer Gerardine Sacdalan, don’t let her petite size fool you; her voice will knock you for six and she just commands the stage.

Of course, we wouldn’t have a Juliet or indeed a Romeo were it not for Shakespeare himself, brought to life by one fifth of The Wanted and winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2015, Jay McGuiness. I’ll hold my hands up, I’m always a little sceptical of celebrities being cast in musical theatre roles when there are people who have trained their whole lives to play their dream role on stage. That’s not to say they don’t deserve their chance to live their dreams too, but that’s a conversation I’ll keep for another day… My point is that I needn’t have worried about Jay’s casting at all. His boy band background naturally leant itself to the music, but he also did an excellent job of portraying the cheeky, sometimes arrogant playwright.

The supporting cast should not be slept on. Sandra Marvin and Lee Latchford-Evans (aka Lee from Steps) had a fabulous, funny rapport. Jordan Broatch, Kyle Cox and Benjamin Jackson Walker brought comedy and pathos with their roles too.

But, for me, the stand out performance and biggest surprise of the night was Lara Denning as Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway. What I had mistakenly presumed was a bit part at the start of the show became as pivotal to the storyline as Juliet herself. Character aside, her voice is something else; when she performed Celine Dion’s “That’s The Way It Is”, it gave me tingles on top of chills on top of goosebumps.

Don’t be like me in 2019. If you can, go and see & Juliet before it leaves Stoke on Saturday. And don’t forget to take me with you!

&Juliet is at The Regent Theatre in Hanley until Saturday 17th May 2025. For tickets go to & Juliet Tickets | Tours & Dates | ATG Tickets