By Bhavika
The @thatoxfordgirl team were buzzing to be #invited to the & Juliet press night at New Theatre Oxford.
Entering into Oxford’s stunning New Theatre and heading down into their ambient piano bar, I wasn’t sure what to expect from their newest production ‘& Juliet’.
In the 428 years since the more orthodox version of the play was written, everyone has heard the tale. Two teenagers (one thirteen and one sixteen) from warring families fall in “love” and, when fate doesn’t agree with their intentions of happily ever after, they end up killing not only themselves but also several side characters – at which point they have known each other a total of four days.
David West Read brings to us a twist on this timeless tragedy by posing the simple question, "What if Juliet didn't die?" In this possible story, Juliet gets the opportunity to restore her agency by starting over in the wake of Romeo's death. Shakespeare - who was much to my surprise a character within the play- is in a humorous conflict with his wife Anne Hathaway, who wishes to rewrite the ending of his play to subvert its patriarchal connotations.
The resulting storyline deftly strikes a mix between romance, humour, and self-empowerment while referencing concepts like gender norms and individuality. Whilst it is true that many favourite characters like Mercutio are long dead by the start of this play, they are replaced by fresh new characters that come with their own quirks and fun plotlines. The play also subtly touches upon very current issues relating to gender and sexuality through the subplot relating to Juliet’s non-binaryfriend ‘May’.
The casting and performance were exemplary, with GerardineSacdalan’s take on Juliet being especially notable. She embodied the role of a young woman emboldened to chart her own path for the first time ever with strong fierceness and confidence. The music itself was perfectly suited for this contemporary production and really took on a life of its own amidst the choreography. It does strike you as the somewhat melodramatic act one might expect from a 13-year-old girl to burst into song and dance at every minor event in her life, but it soon becomes very easy to feel fully immersed in the slightly lurid world. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the play’s incorporation of hits like ‘Hit me baby One More Time’ and ‘It’s my Life’.
The joyful celebration of friendship, love, and self-discovery found in "& Juliet" upends conventional narratives. For lovers of contemporary narrative and musicals alike, this show is a must-see due to its electrifying intensity, daring female topics, and superb acting. Its happy retelling of "Romeo & Juliet" is a delightful, inspiring trip that is guaranteed to leave audiences feeling elevated, even though it might not appeal to ardent Shakespeare purists.
Check out a whole host or productions at New Theatre, Oxford!
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