Singapore Get Ready For The Smash Hit Musical That Has Taken Over Broadway, & JULIET

About The Writer

Expat writer and reporter Douglas Peris is a passionate foodie and avid traveller originally from Australia; now living in Singapore since 2000. With an appreciation and curiosity for street food, unique travel destinations and diverse cultures, Doug enjoys culinary delights during his work and leisure travels. When Doug is not seeking out the best local eats, you can find him in the kitchen trying new recipes, cycling on the roads of Singapore, watching rugby matches, planning his next beach getaway or guest visiting as a well-known writer and reporter for Expat Choice Asia. His varied experiences allow Doug to provide unique perspectives on the vibrant local food scenes across this dynamic region, where his recommendations are regarded as honest and reliable. So join Doug as he shares his food and travel adventures through thoughtful reports and articles published and distributed on http://www.expatchoice.asia

If you would like Doug or any of the Expat Choice reporting team to visit your establishment as a guest to report on your unique experience and have this report published on our network, you can contact Expat Choice HQ by email with details about your offering at contact@expatchoice.asia

&Juliet, Sands Theatre, Singapore 28th September 2023

We all know the story of the young love of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tragedy based around the feuding Capulets and Montagues families In Verona. It goes something like this: boy meets girl; girl's family hates boy's family; boy's family hates girl's family; boy and girl kill themselves. &Juliet takes that script and turns it on its head. What if Juliet didn’t kill herself upon finding Romeo’s lifeless body? Get ready to fall head over heels in love with &Juliet, the new musical lighting up the stage in Singapore. &Juliet is produced Michael Cassel Group in association with MTM/Leyline and presented by Base Entertainment Asia.

So we begin this fantastic tale featuring the Bard himself, who now has a co-writer to change the ending of the original play. Enter Mrs. Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway. Brilliant! But can she rewrite her destiny and find happiness on her own terms? You'll be cheering her on every step of the way. This show is an absolute blast from start to finish, With an original book by Emmy-winner David West Read and a soundtrack of iconic pop anthems from legendary Swedish producer Max Martin, &Juliet bursts with humour, heart, and jam-packed with pop songs that you already know and love. Every Max Martin chart-topper is given an electrifying production number, from the sassy "I Kissed A Girl" to the anthemic "It's My Life". Wait until you see the electrifying performance by the deBois Band.

&Juliet has heart behind all the glitz and glamour. You'll laugh, cry, get goosebumps, and fall in love with Juliet's story of taking control of her fate. I'm telling you, this is a feel-good night out that will leave you walking on air! As soon as the lights go down, you'll dance as the party starts. The cast's energetic dance moves and powerful vocals will blow you away. The insanely talented cast had the packed Sands Theatre dancing and singing. Take a bow, the 2,000-strong Singapore audience who were on their feet cheering before the final curtain. But behind all the flashy fun, you'll be moved by Juliet's uplifting journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I greatly praise the diverse casting and its wicked sense of humour and puns. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I danced. This feel-good night out sent my spirits soaring!

So if you're looking for a super-fun musical experience to smash your evening, don't miss your chance to see &Juliet on stage in Singapore. This is a five-star musical extravaganza you do not want to miss! Trust me, I can’t spew out enough superlatives for this show. You must get tickets ASAP as the show ends on 15th October. It's the most fun I've had in the theatre in years! Dare to dance, sing along, and fall in love with &Juliet.

Still not convinced? Here's a 20% discount code just for you to experience this spectacular musical sensation: https://ticket.marinabaysands.com/.../julietmusical1023...

About The Writer

Expat writer and reporter Douglas Peris is a passionate foodie and avid traveller originally from Australia; now living in Singapore since 2000. With an appreciation and curiosity for street food, unique travel destinations and diverse cultures, Doug enjoys culinary delights during his work and leisure travels. When Doug is not seeking out the best local eats, you can find him in the kitchen trying new recipes, cycling on the roads of Singapore, watching rugby matches, planning his next beach getaway or guest visiting as a well-known writer and reporter for Expat Choice Asia. His varied experiences allow Doug to provide unique perspectives on the vibrant local food scenes across this dynamic region, where his recommendations are regarded as honest and reliable. So join Doug as he shares his food and travel adventures through thoughtful reports and articles published and distributed on http://www.expatchoice.asia

If you would like Doug or any of the Expat Choice reporting team to visit your establishment as a guest to report on your unique experience and have this report published on our network, you can contact Expat Choice HQ by email with details about your offering at contact@expatchoice.asia

&Juliet, Sands Theatre, Singapore 28th September 2023

We all know the story of the young love of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tragedy based around the feuding Capulets and Montagues families In Verona. It goes something like this: boy meets girl; girl's family hates boy's family; boy's family hates girl's family; boy and girl kill themselves. &Juliet takes that script and turns it on its head. What if Juliet didn’t kill herself upon finding Romeo’s lifeless body? Get ready to fall head over heels in love with &Juliet, the new musical lighting up the stage in Singapore. &Juliet is produced Michael Cassel Group in association with MTM/Leyline and presented by Base Entertainment Asia.

So we begin this fantastic tale featuring the Bard himself, who now has a co-writer to change the ending of the original play. Enter Mrs. Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway. Brilliant! But can she rewrite her destiny and find happiness on her own terms? You'll be cheering her on every step of the way. This show is an absolute blast from start to finish, With an original book by Emmy-winner David West Read and a soundtrack of iconic pop anthems from legendary Swedish producer Max Martin, &Juliet bursts with humour, heart, and jam-packed with pop songs that you already know and love. Every Max Martin chart-topper is given an electrifying production number, from the sassy "I Kissed A Girl" to the anthemic "It's My Life". Wait until you see the electrifying performance by the deBois Band.

&Juliet has heart behind all the glitz and glamour. You'll laugh, cry, get goosebumps, and fall in love with Juliet's story of taking control of her fate. I'm telling you, this is a feel-good night out that will leave you walking on air! As soon as the lights go down, you'll dance as the party starts. The cast's energetic dance moves and powerful vocals will blow you away. The insanely talented cast had the packed Sands Theatre dancing and singing. Take a bow, the 2,000-strong Singapore audience who were on their feet cheering before the final curtain. But behind all the flashy fun, you'll be moved by Juliet's uplifting journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I greatly praise the diverse casting and its wicked sense of humour and puns. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I danced. This feel-good night out sent my spirits soaring!

So if you're looking for a super-fun musical experience to smash your evening, don't miss your chance to see &Juliet on stage in Singapore. This is a five-star musical extravaganza you do not want to miss! Trust me, I can’t spew out enough superlatives for this show. You must get tickets ASAP as the show ends on 15th October. It's the most fun I've had in the theatre in years! Dare to dance, sing along, and fall in love with &Juliet.

Still not convinced? Here's a 20% discount code just for you to experience this spectacular musical sensation: https://ticket.marinabaysands.com/.../julietmusical1023...

About the writer:

Tanya Gerstle is a theatre director, actor trainer and performance coach. She has worked in performance and training contexts in Australia and internationally over the past 35 years.

Tanya is currently Artistic Director of OpticNerve Performance Group, a performance coach with The Australian Bar Association and an Honorary Senior Fellow of the University of Melbourne, where she holds a Doctor of Visual and Performing Arts specialising in improvisational practices.

@Juliet Report

&Juliet, Regent Theatre, Melbourne, 7th June 2023.

I was looking forward to seeing &Juliet. When an actor, I had performed in musicals and as a theatre director had produced several of Shakespeare’s plays. Would it work to blend Shakespearean motifs and Elizabethan behaviour with contemporary pop music? I was eager to find out.

When I entered the auditorium, the stage was alive and dynamic.  Actors were dancing and laughing and connecting with the people taking their seats. Already it felt like Shakespeare’s Globe in Elizabethan England, when suddenly, exploding visuals, musical intensity, a chorus singing and dancing their way through “Larger than Life” (a hit made by Backstreet Boys) ... and we’re off!

Immediately we are introduced to William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway who are our narrators on the story journey. Don’t worry if you don’t know the plot of Romeo and Juliet - within the first five minutes we are given a précis of Shakespeare’s version. At this point Anne suggests to William that it would be better if Juliet did not die and takes it upon herself to re-write the play. From then on Anne’s character gives us a feminist spin on all things Elizabethan including marriage, love and female independence. When Juliet, to avoid the nunnery, escapes to Paris with her nurse and friends, the adventure begins. Events cascade. Shifts and turns of the plot, hidden identities, the revelation of secrets and misinterpreted feelings, last minute escapes, characters cross-dressing and gender shifting all resemble the rhythms, themes and structures of a Shakespearean comedy. In that spirit, by the end, relationships are resolved happily with Juliet finding autonomy, the strength of her convictions and the confidence to act upon them. She is a modern heroine for the 21st century.

The cleverly conceived staging is in constant movement. Large screens are at the back and set pieces move in and out and revolve on the stage sustaining the momentum and matching the high intensity soundscape. At times it has a rock concert ‘feel’ with flashing and laser lights, screens bursting with colour, smoke and confetti drops and lifts hoisting actors high above the stage. Like watching fireworks, it stimulates the senses and triggers an adrenalin rush. At other times, the visual and aural intensity subsides. Rows and trees of fairy lights gently support a character’s self-revelation or the soft singing of a ballad. Costumes are an effective blend of contemporary street wear and Elizabethan touches – corsets, ruffles and chain mail are combined with denim jackets and trainers.

The music and lyrics, all written by Grammy Award winner Max Martin and collaborators, are iconic pop hits made famous by Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Pink, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys and Celine Dion to name a few. It was a delightful surprise to be able to sing along (in my head) with more than half of the 28 songs. A brand new, challenging story being told by old familiar ‘friends.’

The book is written by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek/Tony nominated) and is witty, taught, fast and clever. He seamlessly weaves the actor’s language with the lyrics of the pop anthems propelling the story forward, and by using William and Anne’s conflict to re-direct the story, he keeps the audience guessing and undermines expectations. Combining contemporary everyday language with recognizable phrases invented by Shakespeare surprised and delighted the audience. In Act Two as the absurdity increased, the physical gags, puns and satire invited them to cheer, groan, boo and laugh as if they were at a Pantomime. During the finale the players get the audience on their feet, singing and dancing to Katy Perry’s Roar - an ingenious way to orchestrate a standing ovation.

Ultimately, &Juliet is a coming-of-age story, of self-discovery, and empowerment. Its themes of acceptance, inclusion and diversity are reflected overtly in the casting of the players and the choices the characters make. @Juliet is a musical for our time. It demonstrates how to come together in our differences and how to collaborate joyfully in the creation of something new. When the show was over, I asked a group of high school students what they thought, and they absolutely loved it. The singing, dancing and acting is uniformly excellent and the effervescent enthusiasm of all the players is infectious. I left the theatre with a skip in my step, singing the songs and wishing that ‘life would imitate art’.

Tanya Gerstle