Romeo and Juliet – review:

Following the success of Sunset Boulevard, Jamie Lloyd is back in the West End and this time with an unforgettable reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s tragedy of young love gone wrong.

As we enter the Duke of York’s theatre, composer, Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante alongside sound designers, Ben and Max Ringham set the tone with pulsating, bassy beats welcoming us to Jamie Lloyd Company’s dark, and moody portrayal.

We’re in Verona and Soutra Gilmour’s set is  simple and industrial – it flits between the stage as you know it but also, uniquely includes scenes projected and filmed within the theatre bar, alleyway and the rooftop – something I’ve never seen before but thought was a superb touch and a great way to  connect and engage with younger audiences grappling with a traditional and classic play. 

This, alongside athleisure monochrome costume and a more urbanised language worked well via Nima Taleghani’s edited text, although I feel the Shakespearian prose could have been further stripped back. But overall, this Romeo and Juliet felt relatable, accessible and familiar. The use of both the projection via the live video feed and the localised language also provided some of the lighter moments amidst the intensity. These standout scenes are what sets a Jamie Lloyd production apart as theatre that is bold, fresh and game changing.

Jon Clark’s lighting is used sparingly in parts and illuminates the starkness of the stage which in turn helps us to focus on this well-known drama unfolding but then strobe is used to brilliant dramatic effect to portray the unseen violence. At one point, we are plunged into complete darkness for what felt like an extraordinary amount of time for a theatre show which adds to the tension.

Now on to our leads, Tom Holland (aka Spider-Man), who made his stage debut some years ago in Billy Elliot, plays Romeo – it is an assured yet delicate performance. Juliet is played with a quiet determination, shrouded in innocence and playfulness by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers (School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play). This is a tender coupling of Shakespeare’s star-crossed young lovers, and Holland and Amewudah-Rivers bring much fervour and chemistry to the stage and there is plenty of intensity between them – through breathy exchanges and intimate connection whether looking lovingly into each other’s eyes or passionately embracing. I was also completely entertained by  Freema Agyeman’s performance as ‘nurse’ – she genuinely seemed to be enjoying her character.

Romeo and Juliet has been sold out for a while but if you were lucky enough to get a ticket, buckle up as you’re in for an incredible ride in Jamie Lloyd’s exquisite and modern-day retelling of this problematic tragedy of young love.