& JULIET Will Have Pre-Broadway Engagement In Toronto- Page 6

[BritCrit]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 6:23am

WestEndGal said: "

“The New York Timesstates the show was "panned by critics" in London, as it "received reviews that were mostly lukewarm at best."

Despite this, it sounds like a loud, colorful blast. Let's see how audiences react when this hits NY."

This absolutely infuriates me because &Juliet wasn’t panned by critics at all and generally got good reviews! It also won 3 performance Olivier Awards. The NY Times should do better.

The Independent - 4 stars; The Guardian (Gregory Robinson) - 4 stars; Evening Standard - 4 stars; London Box Office - 4 stars; Time Out - 4 stars; WhatsOnStage - 5 stars; The Stage - 5 stars

I hope this show does well because it was such a fun night out when I went, and I also think it’s the type of show Broadway needs right now. Yes it’s silly but it doesn’t try to be anything it’s not, and it does what it’s trying to do well - it has catchy tunes, and it’s a modernised take on Romeo & Juliet without being pretentious about it."

I think part of the "West End Critics dismissed & Juliet" narrative is based on the fact that Michael Billington and Tim Walker (Two of the most famous West End Critics) gave negative reviews, but the fact that & Juliet got ANY acclaim - let alone 7 major reviewers giving it 4 stars or more - is quite an achievement in the Jukebox musical subgenre. & Juliet had the potential to be a West End disaster, but has carved out a pretty strong niche for itself...

I'm not sure Lorna Courtney or Betsey Wolfe will emulate the Oliver Awards victories of Miriam Teak-Lee and Cassidy Janson, but they have a good chance of getting a nomination. And as we learned this year, critical hostility towards a production will not stop the standout leads from getting their hands on the Tony...

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 7:22am

BritCrit said: "WestEndGal said: "

“The New York Timesstates the show was "panned by critics" in London, as it "received reviews that were mostly lukewarm at best."

Despite this, it sounds like a loud, colorful blast. Let's see how audiences react when this hits NY."

This absolutely infuriates me because &Juliet wasn’t panned by critics at all and generally got good reviews! It also won 3 performance Olivier Awards. The NY Times should do better.

The Independent - 4 stars; The Guardian (Gregory Robinson) - 4 stars; Evening Standard - 4 stars; London Box Office - 4 stars; Time Out - 4 stars; WhatsOnStage - 5 stars; The Stage - 5 stars

I hope this show does well because it was such a fun night out when I went, and I also think it’s the type of show Broadway needs right now. Yes it’s silly but it doesn’t try to be anything it’s not, and it does what it’s trying to do well - it has catchy tunes, and it’s a modernised take on Romeo & Juliet without being pretentious about it."

I think part of the "West End Critics dismissed & Juliet" narrative is based on the fact that Michael Billington and Tim Walker (Two of the most famous West End Critics) gave negative reviews, but the fact that & Juliet got ANY acclaim - let alone 7 major reviewers giving it 4 stars or more - is quite an achievement in the Jukebox musical subgenre. & Juliet had the potential to be a West End disaster, but has carved out a pretty strong niche for itself...

I'm not sure Lorna Courtney or Betsey Wolfe will emulate the Oliver Awards victories of Miriam Teak-Lee and Cassidy Janson, but they have a good chance of getting a nomination. And as we learned this year, critical hostility towards a production will not stop the standout leads from getting their hands on the Tony..."

Yeah maybe they did base it on those 2 reviews (which were 2 stars) but if that’s the case it’s extremely lazy journalism at best and wilful misrepresentation at worst. It’s definitely the type of show that could go either way but I think audiences are ready for and would like a show like &Juliet. 
 

Yeah I guess the strength of the new shows next season will determine likelihood of performance Tony Awards but I wouldn’t rule it out.

Updated On: 6/23/22 at 07:22 AM

[Skye8]

Posted: 6/29/22 at 12:42am

They're using American accents for this production, correct? Just curious.

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 6/29/22 at 11:04pm

Skye8 said: "They're using American accents for this production, correct? Just curious."

They're using their own accents (which are mostly American), except for Nurse and Lance.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/29/22 at 11:19pm

forfivemoreminutes said: "Skye8 said: "They're using American accents for this production, correct? Just curious."

They're using their own accents (which are mostly American), except for Nurse and Lance."

Mostly makes sense... but I would have Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway keep the British accents, because they are the only two real-life figures in the show; Stark and Betsy should do them justice. 

 

[Tag]

Posted: 6/29/22 at 11:24pm

Paulo needs a session with a dialect coach.  Cause whatever he is doing, it isn't working.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 6/29/22 at 11:28pm

Can someone who has seen the show please comment in more detail on its production value? It sounds on paper like it's pretty close to Moulin Rouge! (fun, bright, colorful jukebox musical where you just go and have a blast), but in my opinion, one area that helps Rouge! stand out is that it also boasts some of the most beautiful production design on Broadway from a scenic, costume, sound, and lighting perspective (and choreography, too).

How does this compare?

Updated On: 6/29/22 at 11:28 PM

[BritCrit]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 6:45am

From the photos I've seen from the West End, the staging for & Juliet (17th century clothing and carriages mixed with neon signs and a modern-day jukebox) aims to embody the "Shakespearean comedy meets millennial culture"  ethos of the story and characters. Nowhere near Moulin Rouge's level, but still enjoyable on its own terms...

[windowwaving]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 9:19am

I saw it on the West End and while I had the best time, my biggest critique was the set. The way that it's staged makes it feel so box-y and makes the set seem smaller than it is. I was hoping they would change it for the Broadway transfer. 

I'm a superfan of Moulin Rouge's set and it almost plays a 'main character' role to the show. From the moment you walk in, you're just in awe. 

&Juliet's set is more whimsical concert with special effects. Much more engaging and involved than SIX, but nowhere near the level of MR's. &Juliet also relies on projections for the top half of their set. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 10:17am

I had much more fun at &Juliet than at the tour production of Moulin Rouge (in Denver).

&Juliet seems to have a better idea of what it is about and why the various songs were integrated into the story. It knows it is ridiculous and embraces the silliness.  I would see &Juliet again, but not Moulin Rouge. I was tempted to leave Moulin Rouge at the interval - but &Juliet has such a fun Act 1 closer that I felt more than excited but indeed compelled to return after the interval. 

 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 7/1/22 at 12:22am

Just got home from the show, and these are the thoughts I have (in no particular order)

-Betsy Wolfe is INCREDIBLE! I have never loved her in a role more.The other principles are strong as well, although they won't win Tony's, the way the roles won Olivier's.

-I have never had so much fun in a theatre before. It would be talked about in the same breath as Oklahoma, or Sweeney Todd, but its a great time.

-I feel like there is a Mamma Mia vibe happening. It is the ultimate froth and sugar, and people will have a great time, regardless of what critics may say.

-Engery and motion is SO high and constant in Act One, that Act Two has some lower points that slow it down a bit.

-This show knows exactly what it is, and plays to that. It's quite self aware.

-Once Upon a One More Time might be too late if this gets to NY first

Updated On: 7/1/22 at 12:22 AM