Pictured: Allycia Angeles as Juliet
What if Juliet didn’t die for Romeo? What if, instead, she chose herself?
That’s the question at the heart of & Juliet, the global hit musical turning Shakespeare’s famous love story on its head, and Adelaide audiences will soon get to see the spectacular production brought to life by a cast of 45 emerging performers.
Presented by the 2026 graduating class and second-year students of the Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre, & Juliet will take over Adelaide University’s Scott Theatre from Thursday, October 8th to Sunday, October 11th.
Rather than following the tragic ending everyone knows, the musical picks up after Romeo and Juliet’s relationship and gives Juliet a very different path. Instead of dying for her love, she chooses to live. From there, she heads on a journey of self-discovery, navigating love, identity and independence alongside old and new friends.
The production is being directed by Matt Hyde, who brings some serious & Juliet credentials to the Adelaide stage. Matt was part of the world premiere production of & Juliet in London in 2019, working as Casting Associate at Stuart Burt Casting.
“My goal isn’t to recreate what came before, but to honour the spirit of what made & Juliet such a phenomenon in the first place,” shared Matt.
“At its heart, it’s a timeless story that asks a question we can all relate to: if you didn’t like the story you’d been handed, would you have the courage to rewrite it? That’s a powerful idea whether you’re sixteen or sixty.”
The cast features 45 students, more than double the size of the original West End production, bringing a huge ensemble to the Scott Theatre stage.
“That brings an incredible energy to the show, but it also means every rehearsal has to be meticulously planned and everyone needs to work together as one company,” said Matt.
Adding to the spectacle is a soundtrack packed with instantly recognisable pop hits from Swedish hitmaker Max Martin and his collaborators, including Since U Been Gone, I Want It That Way and …Baby One More Time.
Third-year Bachelor of Music Theatre student Allycia Angeles takes on the role of Juliet.
“This show is so spectacular and glamorous. It celebrates so many different aspects of love. It is hard not to be enamoured,” shared Allycia.
“The show not only empowers the characters on stage, but also empowers the audience. You will either leave this show with a new sense of self or with so much joy in your heart.”
With a huge student cast, a stack of pop anthems and a heroine finally getting to write her own ending, & Juliet is set to give one of literature’s most famous love stories a very different encore.
& Juliet
When: Thursday, October 8th to Sunday, October 11th
Where: Scott Theatre, Kintore Avenue, North Terrace campus, Adelaide University
Price: From $42.90
For more information, click here.
