Theatre Production Excursion

On the 19 of July, the Year 8 Theatre Production students attended the captivating musical & Juliet at the Regent Theatre. The musical reimagined Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and explored an alternate ending for Juliet, emphasising themes of self-discovery and challenging societal norms.

The musical offered a unique blend of classic literature and contemporary music, as it showcased modern pop songs penned by the renowned songwriter Max Martin including "Roar" and "I Want it That Way." The students displayed exemplary audience etiquette throughout the show. They were attentive, respectful, and appreciative of the talented performers on stage.

This excursion complemented the objectives of our Theatre Production subject, providing students with a firsthand encounter with live theatre. Attending the production as audience members allowed them to connect the theoretical aspects they've learned in the classroom with real-life practice. Experiencing the creativity, effort, and dedication put forth by the cast and crew, the students gained a deeper appreciation for the world of performing arts.

Below are some reflections from the day written by the students:

"On the 19 of July, our class went to see & Juliet. It was a very cheerful and contemporary musical with a very intriguing storyline. The whole time I couldn't take my eyes off the stage and during the break I was anticipating the next act. The production had songs that everyone knew which made it even easier for us as the audience to interact with. Overall, the musical was fun and just made me genuinely happy" – Nicole R 8Z

"On the 19 of July, our Theatre Production class visited the Regent Theatre to watch & Juliet. I think the sets really elevated the performance and that the actors were amazing. The songs were ones written by Max Martin (e.g 'Roar', 'Teenage Dream', 'I Want It That Way' and 'Since You’ve Been Gone') and I think they greatly added to the performance. The costumes were really cool and gave the play a modern feel whilst also bringing us back. All elements made the audience feel really included and it's always inspiring to see how theatre can transport us to new worlds and make us think about our own lives in a different way" – Ruby B 8Y

"The year 8 theatre class went to see the new musical & Juliet. & Juliet was a fun, empowering musical, with amazing sets and costumes. All of the songs were written by Max Martin, who writes very successful pop songs for artists such as Katy Perry and The Weekend. I really enjoyed the musical, and my peers did too"

– Zoe K 8X

"We were lucky enough to see the production of & Juliet at the Regent Theatre. & Juliet is a modern take on William Shakespeare’s classic, ‘Romeo and Juliet’. The musical was written by David West Read and directed by Luke Sheppard. The story follows Juliet through her long journey of self-discovery, the musical begins with Juliet taking her first step to a new beginning, by making the pivotal decision not to stab herself. The musical is given a modern twist, whilst still incorporating elements of the 16th century. The costumes and lighting were typically bright and bold, to create and atmosphere and brought the show to life" – Sofia D 8X