Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Back in 1996 Baz Luhrmann’s iconic take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet burst onto cinema screens across the world, with its stonking soundtrack, slick edit and contemporary reworking, teenagers (including myself) suddenly began to realise Shakespeare could actually mean something to us. Fast-forward to Manchester 2023 and Nicholai La Barrie’s modern interpretation has all the right ingredients to leave a Mancunion shaped stamp on the hearts of attending audiences.

While most of us know the timeless story, this Royal Exchange production surprises throughout, proving that Shakespeare’s most-loved tragedy still has an incredible ability to touch hearts. Despite its well-known tragic outcome this Romeo & Juliet packs in moments of joy, fun and heaps of humour. The talented cast deliver Shakespeare’s prose with a meaty Mancunion lilt, lifting the piece and adding a touch northern humour and undeniable swagger.

Conor Glean as Romeo and Shalisha James-Davis as Juliet are a perfect pairing. As star-crossed lovers their joy at falling in love is infectious, you desperately want them to rewrite this infamous story. They’re playful with each other, drawing you in as you invest in their story despite already knowing the outcome. Their exchanges feel heartfelt; believable, adding a relatability to their well-developed characters. Intimacy director Bethan Clark along with movement director Jade Hackett have guided the duo beautifully ensuring the intimate moments feel authentic and honest.

They are supported by an incredibly strong cast. David Judge makes for an outstanding Mercutio. So skilful in his delivery he often makes Shakespeare’s script feel rhythmical, so melodic is his nuanced delivery. Ashley O’Brien’s Tybalt is fiercely proud, delivering Kev McCurdy’s fight choreography with impressive ease while Adam Fenton’s Benvolio is multifaceted and wonderful to watch.

The many moments of light are pure joy, offering the cast the opportunity to have fun with this classic play, I don’t think I’ve ever heard an audience laugh so much during a production of Romeo & Juliet. Moments that could easily pass an audience by are cleverly delivered gifting much light amongst the encroaching shade, offering an opportunity to see characters we thought we knew so well in a different light.

The heavier poignant moments are handled beautifully, none more-so than during Act 2 when the cast are joined by a community chorus who gently sing Elbow’s Build A Rocket Boys as Juliet lies lifeless amongst a sea of rain-soaked mourners.

This is a production which will stay with you long after the final bows, its simplistic design allows the storytelling to take centre stage, enthralling the audience entirely. Director Nicholai La Barrie has ensured this Romeo & Juliet feels accessible and inclusive, highlighting strikingly the consequences of choosing hate over love, a lesson which with every passing year the leaders of our world sadly never learn from.

Romeo and Juliet is on at the Royal Exchange until Saturday 18^th November tickets available here.