by Deputy Editor | June 1, 2026 11:08 am
5 out of 5 stars for this one! & Juliet- is a fabulous musical and is a sensation from start to finish, writes Metropol’s Nancye Pitt in her review.
What if Juliet….didn’t kill herself? The question on every thespian’s lips – what would have happened to Juliet if she hadn’t followed Romeo and decided to live a new life ?
The story begins at the end of Shakespeare’s original play and this new story & Juliet brings her to life and she takes control of her own future. & Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, asking: what if Juliet chose her own fate, instead of following Romeo’s?
Juliet, played by Actor Kristin Paulse, brings this story to life for the audience. Bursting with iconic hits including I Want It My Way, It’s My Life, Since U Been Gone, Hear Me Roar, Baby One More Time and Can’t Stop The Feeling, & Juliet is a hilarious feel good celebration of self-discovery, empowerment and second chances. If you grew up with Britney, the Backstreet Boys, and Katy Perry blasting from your bedroom speakers, there will be moments where you get the warm fuzzies with happy memories.
Juliet goes to Paris and meets Francois du Boris played by Josh Johnson, a Christchurch-born sensitive young musician who is struggling with the pressure of from his father to conform to a traditional path. Juliet and Francois both want independence but it gets complicated and includes the dramatic return of Romeo himself! Romeo is played by Andrew Papas and he’s perfection in his role – looks like my kind of Romeo…. Ha.
Juliet is pulled in different directions and ultimately steps away from both Romeo and Francois. I’m not going to do a “spoiler” about what happens next as you will want to see it for yourself.
If you expect the show to be a powerful display of dramatics as we experienced from the original Romeo and Juliet story, you will be disappointed, so go in expecting a glittery, high-octane celebration of second chances set to some of the biggest pop songs of the last three decades. It’s a sparkly, high-energy celebration of second chances and self-determination — Shakespeare by way of a neon-lit pop concert. The level of professionalism from every cast member, through to the fabulous orchestra and ensemble is stunning.
The production is an unashamed spectacle. The stellar cast does a brilliant job, and keeps the laughs coming with a flashy, high-energy presentation. The themes of female empowerment, self-determination, and gender identity are worn proudly throughout the show’s glitzy performance, and there’s a genuine warmth and inclusivity to the story that feels refreshing. The lighting changes and pyrotechnics are fabulous and the stage came alive magnificently – like a show on Broadway; electrifying bursting with energy, and this production celebrates the joy of live theatre in buckets full.
It’s a joyful, high-energy show with a very clever narrative — well worth seeing at least once if not twice!
To see this level of Kiwi talent come together for & Juliet is thrilling, it’s a show that’s all heart and humor full of pop hits and absolute joy. The cast will blow you away with their talent.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/5-5-metropols-review-of-juliet/
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