Review: ‘& Juliet’ At The Wales Millennium Centre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Last night we saw ‘& Juliet’s’ opening night at the Wales Millennium Centre, and to be honest, we went in with quite high expectations, having fallen in love with the West End production a few years ago, and we have to admit, this performance lived up to every memory, and more.
‘& Juliet’ Is At The Wales Millennium Centre Until The 28th Of June
The Cast Of & Juliet, credit: Matt Crockett
The story follows a simple but electrifying question. What if Juliet didn’t die? From that bold rewrite springs a fresh, feminist reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, told through the eyes of his witty wife, Anne Hathaway, who finally takes the quill for herself.
And because it’s a jukebox musical, ‘& Juliet’ guarantees that you’ll be tapping your feet to the rhythm of every song, after all, who doesn’t know these Max Martin classics? From Britney Spears to the Backstreet Boys, each track is so ingrained in our pop‑culture that the moment the beat drops, you’re bound to find yourself humming along.
The narrative completely flips the original script on its head. Juliet, instead of following Romeo into the grave, sets off on her own journey of self-discovery on her own terms. Along the way questioning what she’s been told about love, and embraces the joy (and chaos) of writing her own ending.
Click Here To Book Tickets
I really don’t think you’ll ever watch a show more camp than this. It’s bursting with glittering costumes and powerhouse pop ballads that keeps you grinning throughout. Juliet doesn’t spend long mourning Romeo, instead she grabs her friends, jets off to Paris, and carves out her own chaotic journey.
Jay McGuiness As Shakespeare, Credit: Matt Crockett
The cast featured an array of familiar faces, Jay McGuinness of The Wanted brought his signature charm to Shakespeare, TV’s ever‑smiling Dr Ranj Singh lit up the stage as Lance, and Olivier‑nominee Lara Denning lent her warmth to Anne Hathaway. They were joined by West End sensation Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Broadway standout Sandra Marvin as the effortlessly commanding Angelique, and Benjamin Jackson Walker, who brought an irresistibly playful charisma to the role of Romeo. Whilst Jordan Broatch’s portrayal of May felt more important now than ever.
Gerardine Sacdalan’s Juliet comes alive as a young woman discovering her own power. While I’ve seen countless leading ladies on tour, never have I witnessed such an utterly immersive performance.
Lara Denning As Anne Hathaway & Gerardine Sacdalan As Juliet, Credit: Matt Crockett
In my opinion, Sacdalan’s stamina is what makes her performance the true powerhouse of the evening. Her energy remains sky-high throughout. From when she’s racing across the stage to rally her friends to holding a hushed, intimate moment under a single spotlight, there’s a crackle of electricity in everything she does. Mid‑show, when many performers might catch their breath, she’s still hitting every mark and launching into her next big belt without missing a beat. Yet she still lands the finale with beaming joy and not a hint of fatigue.
The jump from comedy to sincerity is seamless throughout, so a sassy one‑liner from Sandra Marvin’s Angelique can have you in stitches one moment, and the next scene will leave you wiping tears from your cheeks. The emotional stakes feel genuine because and the whole cast seem to fully commit to their characters’ vulnerabilities.
Ranj Singh As Lance & Sandra Marvin As Angelique, Credit Matt Crockett
What struck me the most was that beyond both the incredible vocals and energetic choreography was how ‘& Juliet’ remains, in my opinion, the most ‘feel‑good’ musical out there. It revels in its own silliness, yet delivers quite a heartfelt message about self‑empowerment. By the final curtain, the whole audience was on its feet, showering the cast with a standing ovation that, in my opinion, was absolutely deserved.
All in all, opening night in Cardiff was magnificent. If you’re after a camp night of pop‑anthem euphoria, ‘& Juliet’ is the musical you never knew you needed.
‘& Juliet’ Is At The Wales Millennium Centre Until The 28th Of June
