MULTIFACETED thespian Sue Bolt who doubles as vice-chairperson and producer for the repertory players at the Reps Theatre, Harare, has labelled & Juliet a jukebox musical play scripted to empower and resurrect once bullied esteem.
Bolt said the & Juliet theatrical production, which runs from March 20 to 29, becames the repertory players 803rd production and it is an adaptation and continuation recreation based on William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet.
The & Juliet musical jukebox theatre targets the youth as it features an energetic cast that comprises Point Afresco (Francois), Act Muronzi (Shakespeare), Caroline Yule (Anne Hathaway), Elvis Chikiwa (Romeo), Ashley Makuwa (Juliet) and Anesu Joga (Nurse).
“What would have happened if Juliet didn’t kill herself at the end of Romeo & Juliet? & Juliet is a different look at one of the enduring Shakespeare’s characters. This fresh, fun, coming-of-age tale features music from the 90s to date, with songs by the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi and many more providing the soundtrack to Juliet’s journey to finding herself.
“The theatrical play is about Juliet rediscovering herself and breaking from the old maxim that the success or prominence of a woman is defined by a man who marries her. Heartbreaks and disappointments do not necessarily portray or mark the end to life but are challenges which can be endured and act as base for reshaping a positive future,” Bolt said. She said & Juliet was a play within a play and followed William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway as they rewrite and act out his famous tale of star-crossed lovers Romeo & Juliet.
“It is a coming-of-age jukebox musical featuring the music of Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin. In their newly-revised version, Juliet does not kill herself upon finding her lover seemingly dead instead she creates a whole new life for herself. The plot follows Juliet along with her nurse Angelique and new friends May and April written into the story by Anne as they head to Paris,” she said.
“There they find themselves at a ball thrown by Lance (Who has a history with Angelique) for his son Francois to find a wife. With Juliet’s parents planning to send her to a convent and Francois's father wanting him to head to the army, the pair decides to elope. As Anne and William fight over the direction of the plot, Francois and May share a kiss while Romeo returns from the dead to win back Juliet.
“The second act follows the couple as things come to a dramatic conclusion at a wedding for Francois and Juliet where the characters lay bare their true feelings. Ultimately Juliet and Romeo enjoy a new beginning. May and Francois end up together and Lance and Angelique wed while Anne and William celebrate their new play and renewed relationship.”
- & Juliet play set to restore lost esteem
