Arcadians Theatre Group: &Juliet - Review by Benjamin Olivera

Jukebox musicals are FAR from my favourite piece of theatre to watch as there is often a ‘cringe’ factor when it comes to the music incorporating with a simple yet unnecessarily convoluted plot. With this show, it deals with the premise of what would happen if Juliet didn’t die at the end of Romeo & Juliet and got a second chance to rewrite her story and find her voice. For me, it defies the traditional poor storytelling of jukebox musicals, “&Juliet”, and the Arcadians Theatre Group has brought it to life with charm, confidence, and electrifying energy. From powerhouse vocals to stunning costuming, this production bursts with heart and humour, delivering a feel-good theatrical experience that’s as empowering as it is entertaining. Who knows… they may have even changed my mind about jukebox musicals too!

Photography courtesy of Tracey Leigh Images

Direction for a show is the difference between a good, bad and a fantastic show. Meg Day is one of my favourites when it comes to making bold statements on the stage with an insightful thought process behind it. Her interpretation of &Juliet for the Arcadians Theatre Group is so refreshing and a fantastic way to premiere and amateur premiere. Her director’s note clearly demonstrated her love for the show itself, the works of Shakespeare and the love of community theatre. Day’s belief of a collaborative theatre environment and community is clear both on and off the stage, with a cast that have a clear love for each other and their craft, and a team of FOH staff, backstage crew, committee members and technical team members who all pitch in to bring this vision to life. The direction tied all elements together with confidence and clarity. The pacing was sharp, the humour well-timed, and the emotional beats thoughtfully handled. Most of all, Day clearly understood the heart of the story and brought out strong, nuanced performances from the cast while maintaining the show’s fast-moving and playful tone. Her vision honoured the source material while confidently embracing the show’s modern, empowering message.

With every great, strong director, there is often a fantastic cast that comes as a result. Leading this powerful group of performers is Kristie Beedie, who delivers a vocally grounded and moving performance as Juliet, capturing both the character’s fiery independence and emotional vulnerability. With impressive vocal range & agility in addition to heartfelt stage presence, Beedie effortlessly led the show with confidence and charisma.

Let’s not forget the true narrators of this story Nelson Bowler & Tanya Boyle as William Shakespeare & Anne Hathaway. Bowler charmed the audience as the self-important yet lovable Shakespeare. He skilfully balanced slapstick humour with genuine emotion, and his performance had the audience wrapped around his finger from the opening notes. The vocals for Shakespeare are also stupendously hard and Bowler approaches them with ease and flexibility. Boyle is witty and determined as Anne Hathaway, bringing a sharp comedic timing and warmth to the role that I believe out does the Australian tour’s production. Her interplay with Shakespeare is clever but also heartfelt as she weaves her own narrative into this pre-written plot, taking charge of the empowerment of others throughout the course of the show. Two difficult roles handled by clear and confident stage veterans.

A true crowd favourite and also a personal favourite of mine, Taylor Cable lit up the stage as Angelique and is a true force to be reckoned with. With razor-sharp comic timing and absolute KILLER vocals, she stole every scene she was in and truly pushed the narrative along, taking the audience with her. Playing opposite her was the incredibly funny Lachlan O’Dea. His characterisation was filled with the perfect mix of warmth, over-the-top bravado and crotch-pieces (I’ll let the photos explain that one!). His chemistry with Cable was delightful and energising as well as his connection and love for Christie and Rule.

As the dynamic duo of May & Francois were the incomparable Kai Rule and William Christie. Rule offered a subtle and sensitive portrayal of May, handling the character’s journey of self-discovery with poise and humility, which is what makes the character so deeply moving. These moments paired with their wonderfully controlled tenor vocals made for some of the most beautiful moments in the show. Brava! Christie was equally as strong, bringing a delightfully awkward charm to Francois, making his growth into a more confident and tender character both believable and touching. He handled the complex tenor vocals and harmonies well, and delivering confident choreography with strong staging despite his meek character. Playing the unsung hero of this show is Jamal Rizk as Romeo. Unfortunately, in this show he isn’t the main role as in Shakespeare’s Day, however, his commanding stage presence and killer vocals are ones which beg to differ. Rizk’s effortless tenor belt washes over the audience, charming them from the moment he enters the stage. His wit, delivery and timing are yet to be rivalled and make for a positively captivating portrayal of the misunderstood Romeo

Also, I would love to shout out Michaela Hewitt in this review as well. She brought so much characterisation and stage presence to her small ensemble/featured dancer role, however in that small time she was able to seize every moment, capture every reaction and tell a story that was captivating to watch. It is this level of detail and commitment that make me so proud to be an artist in this industry.

Photography courtesy of Tracey Leigh Images

The musical direction in &Juliet was nothing short of exceptional. The band, led by the incomparable Rowan Keyes, delivered Max Martin’s iconic pop anthems adaptations with precision and punch, while maintaining a strong balance between live instrumentation and vocal clarity. Keyes ensured that each number flowed seamlessly into the next, transitions inclusive, and highlighted the emotional beats through musical expression while keeping the energy high throughout. In addition, the cast was vocally well-supported, and harmonies were tight and effective without ever overpowering the storytelling. What a powerful ensemble sound to hear in such an intimate space; it truly was a stand-out of the evening and is one that Arcadians should be commended for.

The choreography, cleverly crafted by Katie Pearce & Erin Kosarew, played a central role in the success of this production, with dynamic, high-energy routines that matched the modern pop-score perfectly. Each number was thoughtfully staged, blending sharp ensemble work with expressive movement that felt fresh, relevant and well-polished. The choreography didn’t just entertain, but it also skilfully progressed the story, bringing an extra layer of emotion, humour and power to key moments. The ensemble’s commitment and synchronicity were particularly impressive, making each dance sequence a highlight. It was also a pleasant surprise to see Kosarew in the show, leading her players flawlessly to a stellar performance throughout the show’s duration.

Technically, thanks to Emma-Jade Dwyer and Lachlan Roberts, the production was polished and professional. The sound design ensured clear vocals and a rich, immersive musical experience, with transitions between dialogue and song handled smoothly and the band was seamlessly mixed into the space. The lighting design was vibrant and expressive, complementing the emotional tone of each scene and elevating the dramatic moments with precision. Creative use of colour, spotlighting and other new lighting technology helped guide the audience’s focus and added a concert-like energy to the big musical numbers. Unfortunately there were some moments where performers struggled to find their light in the space resulting in some of the emotional moments being harder to read from an audience perspective. None the less this show was near technical perfection!

The costume design struck a clever balance between period inspiration and contemporary style, perfectly reflecting the show’s playful mash-up of eras. I was actually taken aback as to the quality of these costumes, let alone the sheer amount of them, considering that this is community theatre! Kudos to Emma Dyson and her fantastic costume team for pulling of such a feat! All the lead roles’ bold, colourful wardrobe echoed their journeys toward empowerment and change, and were well-defined throughout. Attention to detail was evident in every piece, from the glittering embellishments to the subtle references to pop culture, enhancing characterisation and visual appeal.

Photography courtesy of Tracey Leigh Images

The set, designed by Rizk & Day, cleverly aligned with the directorial vision, evoking the feel of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, with timbered walls, open staging, and multi-level platforms that brought a sense of authenticity and intimacy to the production. This traditional framework was playfully contrasted with modern touches—like LED screens and pop-infused props—perfectly reflecting the show’s blend of old and new. It provided a versatile backdrop that kept the action fluid, the energy high. I did, however find that occasionally the projections clashed with the other things occurring on the stage, distracting from the progression of the visual story being told onstage.

Overall, the Arcadians Theatre Group’s production of &Juliet was a triumph for innovative amateur theatre; bold, heartfelt, and bursting with talent. It struck the perfect balance between spectacle and sincerity, offering a thoroughly modern take on a classic tale while celebrating individuality, empowerment, and the joy of community theatre. With such a strong creative team and an equally impressive cast, this production not only entertained but left a lasting impression. It’s a clear reminder of the incredible standard of community theatre, why it deserves to be celebrated and the true power of unity.