Ahead of & Juliet arriving at Norwich Theatre Royal, we talk all things Shakespearean with two of the show’s stars: Sandra Marvin, who plays Angélique, and Gerardine Sacdalan, who plays Juliet. We chat about flipping the script of one of the most famous plays, the show’s fantastic music, and getting hooked by the musical theatre bug.
You can catch & Juliet at Norwich Theatre Royal between 30 Jul – 3 Aug, where Juliet rewrites her fate and embarks on a second chance at life and love – her way.
For people who think they know Romeo & Juliet, how does the show shake things up?
Sandra: Our version starts off where the other Romeo and Juliet story finishes. Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway isn’t too keen on the ending, especially when it comes to how things end for Juliet, and she wonders: ‘Why does Juliet have to follow the same fate as Romeo? Why can’t this be the start of a new adventure for her, where this tragedy forces her to find herself?’ So that’s where our story begins, as Juliet goes on a real adventure with a new group of friends – although she does keep her nurse Angélique.
Gerardine: It gives a familiar story a more modern, fresher feel, with a very clever twist. As Sandra says, it asks ‘What if Juliet didn’t kill herself?’ as it sort of rewrites her life and gives her an opportunity to explore the world around her without Romeo, at least at the beginning.
You’re playing well-known characters but how would you describe them as depicted in the show?
Gerardine: Juliet here is super sassy and very opinionated, but she doesn’t quite know where to direct those traits. She is such a fiery character and I actually see quite a lot of myself in Juliet, although she’s like a heightened version, super silly, who faces every problem head on. She tries to hone in on her strong opinions as she seeks to find her way through life. Jack Danson, who plays Romeo, is great because he gives me a lot of things to play off. She definitely wears the trousers in this relationship, especially later on. She finds herself standing up for herself, which is something I completely admire about her and something that I think a lot of young people could learn from.
Sandra: Angélique‘s role within the Capulet family and her relationship with Juliet have defined her personality for many years. She’s the emotional support for Juliet, she’s the mother figure and the person who keeps her on the straight and narrow, but she’s also her best friend. It’s really interesting because in the original Shakespeare play you see that side of her but in this show, we explore who she is further and it’s a lot of fun. She goes on her own little journey, she finds herself and she finds love – all things that are not explored in the original version. [Laughs] But believe me, as in any love story it’s not as straightforward as you’d expect. There’s a love twist and let’s just say that it’s quite energetic!
Gerardine, do you see Juliet as a contemporary role model?
Gerardine: Absolutely. She’s a heroine for young people in the audience and a heroine for me as well. She definitely sets an example that I really want to live by. She finds herself as she navigates her life throughout the musical and I can relate to that because I’m also trying to find my way through life. She’s a little bit like a guardian angel for me really.
Sandra, you’re no stranger to musical theatre but what hooked you in about & Juliet?
Sandra: I love the themes, I love the empowerment aspect of it, and I love the diversity of the cast. There are so many positive messages in this show that so many people can relate to. It’s not just for the young ones or for mature audiences. There’s a storyline in there for everyone, whether it’s dealing with your first love, coming to terms with and accepting yourself for who you are and not what society thinks you should be, or finding yourself within a relationship. It’s a show that is so relatable for so many people and it’s beautifully handled, with a lot of humour and a lot of heart as well. It’s very touching but it’s also hilarious, and it feels very modern because it’s not in Shakespearean prose. Then there’s also Backstreet Boys and Britney songs, among many others, so what more could anyone want?
How is the music used to tell the story?
Gerardine: I find that with jukebox musicals that sometimes there are moments where the song does not directly correlate to the narrative at that chosen time. But the way Max Martin’s songs are used is incredibly effective in highlighting the story and the emotion and they are so smartly used that the narrative and the song go hand in hand. His songs add that extra sprinkle of glitter to this already sparkling musical. They are the cherries on top!
Sandra: I agree. Max’s songs enhance the storylines in a witty and sometimes cheeky manner!
Gerardine, this is your first professional role. That must be exciting?
Gerardine: It’s beyond exciting. It’s fantastic. It exceeded my expectations. Even the audition process was great. It was so much fun. I’ve never felt that much fun in an audition room before and the team was lovely and so warm, so there was no additional pressure on top of the usual nerves. It’s a brilliant show and the songs are just fantastic. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be singing Kelly Clarkson songs or all those other great tunes?
Speaking of great tunes, do you have a favourite number to perform in the show?
Sandra: It’s a song I didn’t know before. It’s Show Me Love by Robyn and, no disrespect to her, but I love our version and the orchestration more than the original. It’s got a slightly different feel to it and it’s such a lovely song.
Gerardine: For me, it changes every day but Show Me Love is also probably my favourite. As featured in the show, it’s full of so much light, warmth and love, as it says in the title. I’m so happy that it’s one of the songs I get to perform, along with other cast members.
What do you especially enjoy about performing in musical theatre?
Sandra: I like how clever it is. If people go and watch a good musical they’re taken on a journey, and as a performer I feel that with practically every character that I’m fortunate to play I learn something about myself. I think it’s the same for an audience; you laugh, you cry, and you discover something about yourself.
Gerardine: I think I can speak on behalf of a lot of people who do musical theatre when I say that it’s such a beautiful form of expression. We’re very expressive with how we feel and so in touch with our emotions to the point that we want to sing and dance about it as we deep-dive into other characters and how they feel. Musical theatre is so special to me because at a time when I didn’t have the words to express my thoughts and my feelings, musicals and even plays did that for me.
What are you looking forward to about taking & Juliet around the country?
Sandra: The show was an immense success in the West End and there was a real buzz about it, with a brilliant fanbase. But audiences around the regions might not know what to expect, so they’re in for a fantastic surprise.
Gerardine: I’m looking forward to playing with it and seeing how our version of the show develops as well as seeing lots of interesting sights. I’ve only been to Cambridge, which is where I grew up, and London, which is where I went to drama school, so going to all these new places on the tour is going to be super fun.
& Juliet is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 30 Jul – 3 Aug. For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
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