Tag Archives: Belgrade Theatre

ROMEO AND JULIET

★★★★★

Hackney Empire

ROMEO AND JULIET

Hackney Empire

★★★★★

“thrilling, raw, moving, and completely unforgettable”

If Shakespeare were here today, he’d be proud – perhaps even moved – to see his timeless tragedy reimagined in such a vibrant, daring, and emotionally charged way. This co-production between Hackney Empire, Belgrade Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, directed by the talented Corey Campbell, brings Romeo and Juliet into a new era while preserving every beat of its emotional core.

From the moment the lights dim, it’s clear this isn’t just another retelling. The production is bold, fresh, and utterly magnetic – a true celebration of youthful energy and artistic innovation. The language has been masterfully reworked, blending Shakespeare’s original lines with powerful additions of rap, R&B, and contemporary rhythms. It’s not just modernised – it’s recharged.

Leading the cast are the outstanding Kyle Ndukuba as Romeo and Mia Khan as Juliet. Despite their young age, both performers bring a striking level of depth, charisma, and authenticity to their roles. Their chemistry is electric, their performances emotionally resonant, and their command of both classical and modern language is simply superb. They are, without a doubt, rising stars to watch.

But it doesn’t stop there. This production is blessed with an exceptional ensemble, each member leaving their mark on the stage. Dillon Scott-Lewis, in the role of Mercutio and ensemble, is a standout. He fuses dance, rap, and acting into a single, seamless performance that demands attention. Andre Antonio in the role of Benvolio also brings incredible energy, captivating the audience from the very beginning with charisma and presence that lights up every scene he’s in.

A particularly memorable performance comes from Lauren Moakes as Lady Capulet and Ensemble. Her presence on stage is powerful and versatile – seamlessly blending acting, singing, and dance. She brings emotional depth to her role, with vocals that resonate and movement that enhances the intensity of each scene.

Set against a contemporary backdrop (set and costume design by Simon Kenny), this Romeo and Juliet becomes not only a love story but a commentary on modern life, youth, community, and division. The story of the star-crossed lovers is no less heartbreaking, but it feels more urgent and relevant than ever.

The live music is another key player in this production’s success. The band – Elijah Aduu (ERA) on guitar, Mark Holder on drums, D’evante Seepaul-Craig on keyboard, Chris Jones on bass, Aaron Blake (Keys 1), and Samuel Cummins (Keys 2) – delivers a phenomenal soundtrack that pulses through the performance. Their music does more than support the actors – it lifts, drives, and elevates the emotional journey of the play. It’s the kind of soundtrack you’ll wish was available on Spotify the moment the curtain falls.

This Romeo and Juliet is not just a performance – it’s an experience. It’s an extraordinary fusion of classic literature and contemporary culture, brought to life by a fiercely talented cast and creative team. It’s thrilling, raw, moving, and completely unforgettable.

Whether you’re a lifelong Shakespeare fan or discovering the story for the first time, this production is a must-see. Bold in vision and rich in execution, it’s a beautiful reminder that great stories never die, they simply evolve.



ROMEO AND JULIET

Hackney Empire

Reviewed on 24th April 2025

by Beatrice Morandi

Photography by Nicola Young

 

 


 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT | ★★★★ | December 2024
ALADDIN | ★★★★ | November 2023

 

 

ROMEO AND JULIET

ROMEO AND JULIET

ROMEO AND JULIET

TAMBO & BONES

★★★

UK Tour

TAMBO & BONES

Royal & Derngate Theatre

★★★

“The energy expended by Samuel and Ward is exhilarating”

The Actors Touring Company revives its production of Dave Harris’s thought-provoking play from Stratford East two years ago with newcomer Clifford Samuel stepping into the role of Tambo alongside Daniel Ward’s original Bones. It’s a strange piece, certainly, with the opening scene revelling in its Beckettian absurdity. Tambo (top hat and tails) and Bones (waist coat and bowler) are minstrels in a fake world of painted scenery and cut-out trees (Set and Costume Designers – Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and ULTZ).

As the pair’s antics verge closely on clowning, the chemistry between the two actors is immediately evident. But there’s an edge in the comedy which splits this audience; some laughter from the stalls suggests it’s the funniest thing ever, whilst others are hearing the darker overtones. The pair discuss how they can escape their situation; Bones wants to perform cheap tricks for our money, whilst Tambo would like us to understand the history of the black person’s experience.

Moving forward, the pair are now hip-hop stars and the second scene is an extended live performance. The two men bid to out rap each other whilst a DJ at the back mixes the beats. Is it the director himself, Matthew Xia, in his persona of Excalibah behind the mask? Stage smoke and powerful lighting (Ciarán Cunningham) provide the stadium performance atmosphere. The energy expended by Samuel and Ward is exhilarating but for the predominantly white middle-aged audience, it’s also rather bemusing. If there is something to be learnt through the poetry, then we don’t get it.

The futuristic third scene with its Orwellian overtones shakes things up again. The stage is stripped bare and, in a brave piece of writing and direction, our two heroes passively narrate the story of the history of the new world whilst two white robots mime the action. Jaron Lammens and Dru Cripps as X-Bot-1 and X-Bot-2 provide the performance of the night. There’s surely never been a better choreographed and performed scene of robotic movement than this. Disappointingly, a final piece of action important to the ultimate meaning of the play and that should be devastating in its effect misses its punch.

Dave Harris’s play won’t be to everyone’s taste, with the long central hip-hop performance particularly divisive. But there is no questioning the commitment, versatility and brilliance of the performers.



TAMBO & BONES

Royal & Derngate Theatre then UK Tour continues

Reviewed on 11th March 2025

by Phillip Money

Photography by Jane Hobson

 

 


 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

MOBY DICK | ★★★★★ | April 2024
THE FROGS | ★★½ | January 2024
2:22 A GHOST STORY | ★★★ | January 2024
THE MIRROR CRACK’D | ★★★ | October 2022
THE TWO POPES | ★★★★ | October 2022
PLAYTIME | ★★★★ | September 2022
THE WELLSPRING | ★★★ | March 2022
BLUE / ORANGE | ★★★★ | November 2021
GIN CRAZE | ★★★★ | July 2021
ANIMAL FARM | ★★★★ | May 2021

TAMBO & BONES

TAMBO & BONES

TAMBO & BONES