A jazzy new Shakespeare-inspired musical is about to hit New Zealand’s shores, which flips the script on the greatest love story ever told – what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all when she thought Romeo had died? Here’s what you can expect from & Juliet
Created by Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, this ‘what-if’ musical (which you’ll LOVE if you saw SIX last year!) is a pop song-fuelled journey into a happier, alternative ending of Romeo & Juliet. Anne Hathaway (the wife of William Shakespeare, not The Devil Wears Prada Anne) tries to convince her playwright husband to change the tragedy that ensues at the end of the play.
With music by Swedish pop superstar Max Martin (he wrote songs such as Britney Spears’ …Baby One More Time, The Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way and Celine Dion’s That’s the Way It Is) the musical is a rip-roaring journey through both Shakespeare’s greatest work, and the history of pop music (uh, dream combo!?). So, here’s a few reason to head along during its New Zealand season, even if you’re not a ‘musicals person’:
It’s built on the songs you grew up dancing in your room to…
Think: …Baby One More Time, Since U Been Gone, Roar, I Want It That Way, Can’t Stop The Feeling – all written or co-written by pop mastermind Max Martin. He’s written or co-written 29 Billboard Hot 100 number one hits – seriously – and pleeenty of them are featured.
Juliet gets a re-write, and it’s about time!
Our leading lady chooses herself in an overdue display of main character energy. What follows is a chaotic, funny, empowering second act where she heads off on a new adventure, makes questionable decisions (veeeery relatable), and figures out who she actually is.
It makes Shakespeare funny… in a 21st-century kind of way
The show is written by Schitt’s Creek writer, Emmy-winner David West Read, so it’s packed with quick-fire jokes and a surprising amount of self-awareness about the original story. Imagine Shakespeare and David Rose in a room together and you’re about there.
The pop songs make sense in the story…
This isn’t just a jukebox musical where songs are randomly dropped in for *vibes*. We love a narrative, and every track is cleverly woven into it – sometimes in a surprising way, sure, but it works.
It’s high energy and a bit unhinged in a good way
Huh, take away the ‘high energy’ part and you have my current mental state. Anyway, big choreography, big vocals, big costumes. This is not a subtle, sit-quietly-and-reflect kind of theatre experience. It’s more dancing in your seat vibes.
The NZ cast is incredible
The local production is led by Kristin Paulse as Juliet, alongside Matu Ngaropo as Shakespeare and Awhimai Fraser as Anne – plus a full cast of familiar Kiwi stage talent bringing serious vocal power.
It hits the sweet spot between nostalgia and now
Yes, the soundtrack is millennial, but the themes – independence, identity, rewriting your story – feel very 2026, so it works for all sides of our personalities and also gives us that 90s hit we seem to be craving more and more
It’s the perfect group chat show – eg, the perfect excuse to finally catch up with the girlies
Not every theatre works for a mixed group, but this one will – grab the gals, make a pre-theatre dinner reservation, have a cocktail and enjoy a fab night out.
You’ll leave buzzing with joy
By the final number it’s impossible not to feel uplifted. Between the powerhouse performances, clever twists, and pure pop energy, you’ll walk out smiling, humming, and maybe even rethinking your own story a little.
& Juliet is coming to Auckland at The Civic from April 9, Wellington’s St James Theatre from 9 May, and Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal from 30 May-13 June – tickets here!