& Juliet’s Melbourne cast and crew equal to those of Broadway and Westend, director says

The creative team behind the coming-of-age musical & Juliet, has praised Melbourne’s theatre scene as world-class and predicts the arrival of more blockbuster shows.

Broadway and West End powerbrokers say Melbourne deserves its reputation as a world class theatre hub with predictions more blockbusters are on the way.

“I was very nervous about Melbourne,” Broadway and West theatre director Luke Sheppard told the Sunday Herald Sun. “When you’ve made a show you’re proud of, and it’s played well in London and New York, there’s always that little of part of you that thinks, ‘Oh god, what if they don’t like it in Australia?’”

The cast of & Juliet showcase a sneak peak of the musical at The Regent Theatre. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But Sheppard, director of the blockbuster show & Juliet, which opened at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre last week, said the Australian cast, production crew, theatre, and audience are the equal of Broadway and the West End.

“Melbourne is the third place in the world, after London and New York, to stage our show, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The piece is working its magic here, and the audience is embracing that ride.

“It’s also in the hands of this incredible cast, and they are extraordinary. They’ve really helped us make it with Melbourne, and for Melbourne. We have loved working here, and I don’t want to leave.”

& Juliet director Luke Sheppard says Melbourne’s theatre scenes is equal to Broadway and the West End. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Pop king and & Juliet co-producer Max Martin said the Melbourne production is world class. Martin’s songs, including classics recorded by Backstreet Boys, Pink, Jessie J, Kelly Clarkson, and Katy Perry are featured in the show.

“This incredible Australian cast is taking our show, and the songs, into the stratosphere,” Martin told the Sunday Herald Sun. “I am so blown away by talent here. Melbourne is an amazing place to work.”

The Swedish songwriter and producer said ABBA’s famous 1977 Melbourne visit is folklore. “They slayed in Melbourne,” Martin said. “It was always a dream to do a show a here.”

Australian producer Michael Cassel said New York and London blockbusters were looking to Melbourne as the third city in the world, following Broadway and the West End, to open their shows. Melbourne’s Princess Theatre also staged Harry Potter and the Cursed Child after it opened in London and New York.

Insiders say blockbuster Broadway shows including the Michael Jackson musical MJ, Beetlejuce, Back To The Future are eyeing Melburne for their next run.

“It’s testament to the Melbourne audiences and their embrace of great theatre and live entertainment,” Cassel said. “It’s also a reflection of how well respected Melbourne is to producers and creators around the world that they want to bring their shows here, and premiere them in Melbourne.

“It’s exceptional that & Juliet, a show that premiered in London in 2019, is on stage, in Melbourne, in 2022.”