& JULIA • HAMBORG
★★★★★☆
PHOTO: Johan Persson
REVIEW & JULIA: PARTY GUARANTEED IN HAMBURG
The counterfactual pop musical version of Romeo & Juliet is cool, silly, damn well-produced entertainment in a lavish set design that jingles and jangles in cool street rococo style from Verona to Paris.
PHOTO: Johan Persson
The show is currently playing in the northern German musical mecca of Hamburg, where Det Sku’ Du Se was invited to the party. And what a party!
PHOTO: Johan Persson
The musical begins where Shakespeare’s play would have ended. Romeo and Juliet die in each other’s arms. But Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway bursts in and demands a more positive outcome to the Veronese family feud that frames the world’s most famous love story. The idea is fun and proves to hold up all the way to the end. There IS a reason why it is currently playing to full houses in London’s West End and on Broadway in New York
PHOTO: Johan Persson
Instead of committing suicide, Juliet leaves the tragic story behind her and sets off on an adventure to find herself and a new love on her own terms.
PHOTO: Johan Persson
In keeping with the spirit of the times, Julie takes control of her own story and travels from Verona to Paris with her party-loving friends.
Despite the problems of getting into nightclubs because she is under 20, she uses a playlist of popular hits to navigate life and love.
FOTO: Johan Persson
The musical thus develops into a total Backstreet Boys/Britney Spears jukebox with appropriate one-liners such as I want It My Way, Ooops I Did It Again, Tell Me why, Ain’t Nothing But A Heartache, Everybody, Rock Your Body and similar, directional earworms that drive the narrative forward, interrupted only by short, rapid-fire dialogue sequences.
An exceptionally talented band delivers the soundtrack in optimal sound quality, bringing out the best in an enthusiastic cast of talented singers and sharp dancers in high-energy group choreographies that make it impossible to sit still. Impressive lighting design and dynamic scenography reminiscent of Moulin Rouge add the finishing touches.
& Julia is eminent musical craftsmanship in the realm of pure, unadulterated entertainment. Light calories can really do something. The advertising doesn’t lie. A party is guaranteed!
Five stars from GOT TO SEE THIS for a great night at the theatre. Join the party!
