Romeo & Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play, most people have heard of it, know the ending and perhaps even know some of the plays most famous quotes, so you could be forgiven for thinking that it might be a bit dated, lacklustre or even boring…… but you would be sadly mistaken if you thought that this latest interpretation (a co-production by Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire) was anything close to that.
It’s thrown right into the modern day, with political angst mixed with feuding families and rap music amidst Iambic pentameters. It doesn’t feel like something you learn as part of the curriculum at school, it has a cool musical theatre vibe and the music and lyrics, (by A Class and That’s A Rap, respectively), just seem to have always been there, so seamless are their integration into the text.
For anyone who isn’t too sure, this is a love story. An age-old vendetta between two families erupts into bloodshed as a group of masked Montagues gatecrash a Capulet party. Romeo Montague spots Juliet Capulet across the room and they instantly fall in love. As the couple marry in secret with the help of Juliet’s Nurse, Juliet’s father is planning for her to marry Paris, but as a brawl between the two houses ensues, Juliet’s cousin Tybalt is slain by Romeo’s hand and he is banished. Juliet plots with the Friar Lawrence to fake her death and they will send word to Romeo of the plan, but word fails to reach Romeo and finding Juliet’s lifeless body, kills himself, only for Juliet to awaken to Romeo’s dead body beside her and she kills herself also.
Directed by Corey Campbell, the action is fast paced and captivating throughout, it doesn’t feel like a whole three hours have passed by the time we come to the (spoiler alert!) tragic ending.
Astoundingly, our Romeo, Kyle Ndukuba, is making his professional debut in this production. His ability to make the text sound natural is magnificent and he clearly embodies the character flawlessly, certainly a talent to watch for the future and one we can’t wait to see more of.
Dillon Scott-Lewis as Mercutio and Andre Antonio as Benvolio have a great rapport with each other and our Romeo, and the scenes with all three are delightful to watch.
Mia Khan has strong unfeigned moments as Juliet and her dialogue with Natasha Lewis as Nurse is fresh and comical.
Simon Kenny’s Set and Costume Design is effective and charmingly graceful as we are transported from Church to Capulet home to the streets of Mantua with almost no movement of bulky set pieces.
This is one of the finest pieces of Shakespeare we have ever witnessed and a must see for all ages.
This show was reviewed on the 26th February 2025 at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry where it runs until the 8th March 2025. Tickets and available here: Romeo and Juliet - Belgrade Theatre
The show then heads to Bristol Old Vic : Romeo and Juliet | Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire: Romeo and Juliet | Hackney Empire
Review written by Rachel Louise Martin
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Photo credit : Nicola Young
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