Review: & Juliet Roars into Cardiff with a Five-Star Pop-Powered Punch
If you thought Shakespeare was all ruffs and tragedy, think again. & Juliet has crash-landed into Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre with glitter, gusto, and a whole lot of girl power—and we were lucky enough to be invited to a special press event that gave us a sneak peek behind the sequinned curtain.
Before the curtain even rose, we were treated to a high-energy dance workshop where we learned part of the choreography to Katy Perry’s “Roar” (spoiler: it’s harder than it looks, but twice as fun). We also had the chance to meet some of the cast, whose warmth and enthusiasm only added to the electric buzz in the air.
And then came the show.
From the first beat to the final bow, & Juliet delivered a five-star performance that had the entire audience on their feet. This isn’t your GCSE English Lit version of Juliet—this is Juliet rewriting her own story, backed by a soundtrack of absolute bangers from pop maestro Max Martin. Think Britney, Backstreet Boys, and yes, that iconic roar.
The entire cast was stellar, but two performances truly soared. Lara Denning’s Anne Hathaway (no, not that one) was out of this world—witty, commanding, and with vocals that could shatter glass (in the best way). And Gerardine Sacdalan’s Juliet? Nothing short of perfection. She brought heart, humour, and a powerhouse voice that made you believe Juliet really could rewrite her fate—and ours too.
What makes this show even more powerful is its celebration of diversity, inclusion and LGBTQIA+ stories, woven seamlessly into the narrative. From gender-fluid characters to queer love stories, & Juliet reflects the world we live in today—boldly and joyfully. During Pride Month, it feels especially poignant to see a musical that doesn’t just acknowledge queer identity, but uplifts it unapologetically. It’s a joyous reminder of how vital and powerful representation is in modern musical theatre.
The set dazzles, the costumes sparkle, and the message is clear: your story isn’t over until you say it is.
“a five-star performance that had the entire audience on their feet.”
🎟️ Want in on the magic? & Juliet runs at the Wales Millennium Centre from 16–28 June 2025 at the Donald Gordon Theatre. Tickets start from just £19 and can be booked via the Wales Millennium Centre website.
Trust us—you’ll be singing “Since U Been Gone” all the way home.
This isn’t just a musical. It’s a movement. And it’s roaring louder than ever. Don’t miss it. 💥🎤💖
