Overview
Synopsis
It’s Romeo and Juliet … but not as we know it! & Juliet asks the important question: what if Juliet chose not to kill herself, deciding instead to live her life in her own way? We follow William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne, as they argue and rewrite one of his most famous tragedies. In this tale, Juliet leaves her past behind to travel to Paris with her nurse Angelique and new friends May and April (aka Anne, who has written herself into the story). There they discover Lance (Angelique’s former lover) and his son Francois, who is looking to shake off his father’s expectations and forge his own life. With Juliet’s own parents trying to send her to a convent, are Juliet and Francois the perfect match for each other? While Shakespeare and Anne argue over the course of Juliet’s destiny, Francois discovers his feelings for May and Romeo returns to declare his love for Juliet. But who will Juliet finally choose? Or, does she need to choose at all?!
Full of songs by the hugely successful Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin, & Juliet is a fun jukebox musical that celebrates love, friendship, and taking charge of one’s own destiny.
Show Information
- Book
- David West Read
- Music
- Max Martin
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Romeo and Juliet
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2019
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Verona, Paris
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
& Juliet is based on the music by Swedish songwriter Max Martin and includes songs he wrote for pop singers such as Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys, and Kelly Clarkson. The musical also features a new, original song, co-written with Jessie J. The show premiered in Manchester in 2019, before transferring to London’s West End. It was forced to close in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but reopened in September 2021. & Juliet was nominated for 9 Olivier
to read the context for & Juliet and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The stage is set for the first performance of William Shakespeare’s new play, Romeo and Juliet. He welcomes the audience to the theatre and to his show (“Larger than Life”). We are then introduced to his wife, Anne Hathaway_, who has come to London on a rare visit from their home in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare begins to explain the plot of his play to her, but she immediately begins to pull apart his proposed ending. What if, Anne wonders, Juliet did not kill herself after
to read the plot for & Juliet and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Non-binary |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- “Larger Than Life” - William Shakespeare & Company
- “I Want It That Way” - Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway & Company
- “…Baby One More Time” - Juliet
- “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” - Anne, Shakespeare, Juliet & Company
- “Domino” - Juliet, Angelique, May, & Anne
- “Show Me Love” - Juliet, Angelique, Anne, May, Lance & Company
- “Blow” - Juliet, Angelique, Anne, May, Lance & Company
- “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman” - May & Juliet
- “Overprotected” - Francois & Juliet
- “Confident” - Juliet, Francois, Angelique & Company
- “Teenage Dream” / “Break Free” - Angelique & Lance
- “Oops!...I Did It Again” - Juliet & Angelique
- “I Kissed a Girl” - May, Francois & Company
- “It’s My Life” - Romeo, Shakespeare, Juliet, Anne & Company
Act Two
- “Love Me Like You Do” - Romeo
- “Since U Been Gone” - Juliet & Company
- “Whataya Want From Me” - May & Francois
- “One More Try” - Juliet, Romeo & Company
- “Problem” / “Can’t Feel My Face” - Juliet, Romeo & Company
- “That’s the Way It Is” - Anne & Juliet
- “Everybody” - Shakespeare, Romeo, May, Francois, Lance & Company
- “As Long As You Love Me” - Francois, Shakespeare, Romeo & May
- “It’s Gonna Be Me” - Francois & May
- “Shape Of My Heart” - Lance, Francois & May
- “Stronger” - Juliet
- “F@#kin’ Perfect” - Angelique & Company
- “Roar” - Juliet & Company
- “I Want It That Way - Reprise” - Shakespeare, Anne, Juliet, Romeo & Company
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” - Shakespeare, Anne & Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A version of a work modified from another medium or language, making it suitable for a new performance context.
A narrative song or poem often used in musical theatre and opera to convey story and emotion through melody.
Relating to gender equality, often a theme or character perspective in plays that challenge patriarchal norms.
A staple of musical theatre where the protagonist expresses a deep personal desire, setting the emotional tone for the narrative.
A musical that uses previously released popular songs to tell a story, such as *Mamma Mia!* or *Jersey Boys*.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher