& Juliet rocks Sydney with toe-tapping concert

You’ll love the songs – and the hilarious story!

It’s a rollicking rock concert. A love story. A tale about the emancipation of women. Gay rights and coming out. Even the state of William Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway (not happy, apparently).

But the biggest revelation in this two-hour, toe-tapping, joyous high-energy marathon is the extraordinary breadth of song writing by Swedish producer Max Martin, a man few have heard of.

From the moment the curtain rises, you recognise and love every song. The shy composer has written the most number one hits after Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Think Katy Perry, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, Ariana Grande, Pink, Justin Timberlake and more.

This musical’s pedigree doesn’t end there. The Emmy-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, David West Read, put the story together.

He flips the script on Shakespeare in a poignant story of self-discovery and second chances. He brings Juliet back to life – but that’s only the start of the surprises in this extension of the famous story of the star crossed lovers.

After premiering on the West End in London and earning a staggering 8 Olivier Awards nominations, & Juliet has also been a surprise success on Broadway. The cast features some Australian favourites in Rob Mills (Wicked), Casey Donovan (Chicago) and rising star Lorinda May Merrypor as Juliet.

“& Juliet is the most joyous show I’ve ever done! I wish I could be in the audience watching it every night!” says Mills.

And we’d have to agree. Standing ovations seem obligatory after such a performance that has everyone dancing in their seats.

Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, until May 12, 1300 795 267