Tag Archives: Chris Swain

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

We Can Time Travel – 3 Stars

Travel

We Can Time Travel

Shoreditch Town Hall

Reviewed – 26th April 2018

★★★

“supernaturally quirky and rather quite endearing”

 

Humankind’s fascination with the notion of time travel has been endless. Particularly through literature and film, have we explored the idea of being able to revisit the past, or taken a look at what our future has in store for us. Whether it is with a flux capacitor, time holes, or mind control, there have been many different theories on how we could voyage through the years. However, one conclusion most time travelling adventures have in common, is that meddling with your past, present or future can never bring the satisfaction you are looking for. If anything, it brings more problems than it’s worth. So Dom Coyote also finds out in his current solo piece, We Can Time Travel. He has discovered the key to travelling through time, yet he will find that being back in the present is the best place to be. Combining storytelling with the atmosphere of an intimate gig, this multi-faceted show is supernaturally quirky and rather quite endearing.

Dom knows how to time travel, and he wants to take you with him, and prove that his makeshift time machine works. But first, he must explain how and where it all began. Since childhood, Dom received various recordings from his grandfather. Whilst listening back to them on his old Casio tape deck, Dom notices an odd sound. A sound, that is like a mysterious voice. Through his own detective work and the help of H.G. Well’s 1895 novel The Time Machine, Dom finds out the importance of this voice and consequently the way to move through time. Revisiting the moment his grandfather mysteriously died, as well as an unpleasant encounter with Dom’s elderly self in the future (rendering him into wanting to change his ways within the present) makes this tale, at times, feel like a sci-fi retelling of A Christmas Carol. When an issue with getting back home occurs, Dom begins to realise and value the importance of making the most of the present.

With analogue synthesisers, keyboards, looping machines, cassette players and microphones taking up most of the dingy basement performance space, this futuristic, musical paraphernalia, with all its knobs and dials, create the appearance of Dom’s DIY time machine. Coyote has composed the accompanying music and soundscape to his dystopian world and it works rather well. It is too unique and technology-driven to be put under the ‘musical’ category, which is why it lies closer to being like a gig with accompanying storytelling. Coyote’s gravelly, impassioned, singer-songwriter vocals are haunting to listen to, adding to the abstract dimensions in which the story roams. The music does seem the strongest part of the production, however, there are certainly some inventive moments where both the storytelling and lighting design (created by Chris Swain) shine.

 

Reviewed by Phoebe Cole

 

Shoreditch Town Hall

We Can Time Travel

Shoreditch Town Hall until 5th May

 

 

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