Review: &Juliet at The Shedley

What if Juliet didn’t die? What if she grabbed the quill and rewrote her own story? Northern Light Theatre Company – Adelaide’s premier community theatre company – poses that very question with their bold, glitter-soaked, heart-thumping production of &Juliet. Under the direction of the ever-assured Ceri Hutton, this show bursts to life with energy, emotion, and empowerment in equal measure.

Hutton’s direction is crisp and confident, marrying West End polish with the warmth and inclusivity that defines great community theatre. Every choice, from the neon-splashed visuals to the razor-sharp pacing, feels intentional and alive, celebrating individuality while keeping the audience grinning from start to finish.

Musical Director Billy St John steers the pop powerhouse score with finesse. Every Max Martin hit lands with irresistible punch, and the band supports the vocals beautifully – propelling the show forward with rhythm, colour, and verve.

The choreography, courtesy of the mother-daughter dream team Kerreanne Sarti and Shenayde Patterson, is a total show-stealer. Their routines are fresh, fearless, and flawlessly executed — blending fierce commercial edge with storytelling heart. From ‘Larger Than Life’ to ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling,’ the ensemble’s commitment is electric, each number exploding with precision and personality.

As Juliet, Londyn Foreman leads the charge with boundless charisma and knockout vocals. She’s funny, fiery, and completely magnetic, delivering a performance that captures both the innocence and independence of a young woman reclaiming her story.

Bey Pynor’s Anne Hathaway is another standout – witty, warm, and wonderfully wry – a perfect foil to Robbie Breugelmans’s self-assured and swaggering William Shakespeare. Together they create delicious theatrical chemistry that balances heart and humour.

Then there’s Sarah Hamilton as Angelique; and what a triumph she is. Hamilton brings impeccable comic timing and soulful gravitas to a role often played for laughs alone. Her presence commands the stage, and she navigates Angelique’s wit, wisdom, and warmth with finesse. Whether she’s delivering a perfectly timed punchline or a heartfelt truth, Hamilton’s poise and power elevate every scene she’s in; a true masterclass in balance between comedy and compassion.

Daniel Hamilton’s Romeo is gleefully over the top – equal parts ego and charm – while Bailey Edwards (François) and Jake Hipkiss (May) deliver one of the show’s most moving storylines. Hipkiss, in particular, is magnetic – their portrayal is tender, truthful, and beautifully rendered, earning some of the night’s biggest emotional reactions. Deon Martino-Williams as Lance rounds out the cast with irresistible charisma, his natural comic flair and effortless cool lighting up every moment he’s on stage.

By the time the cast launches into ‘Roar,’ the audience is right there with them — standing, clapping, and grinning from ear to ear.

My only criticism is the volume of the microphones – a show like this needs to sound like a concert, and I’d love to have the mics turned up a notch so we don’t miss a lyric or sonnet!

With its sparkling performances, slick direction, and unapologetic message of self-love, &Juliet is everything you want from a night at the theatre – funny, fierce, and fabulously feel-good. Northern Light Theatre Company once again proves that community theatre in Adelaide can rival the professional stage for heart, quality, and sheer joy.

4.5 stars

Lia Loves.