What if Juliet didn’t die? What if, instead of a tragic end, her story erupted into a celebration of life, with sequins, sass, and an electrifying soundtrack of 21st-century pop hits?
That’s the irresistible premise behind & Juliet, a high-energy jukebox musical that takes Shakespeare’s timeless love story and gives it a dazzling modern twist.
On its 2025 UK tour, & Juliet at Sheffield Theatres proves just how much fun a Shakespearean reinvention can be, serving up an infectious mix of empowerment, humour, and some unforgettable pop anthems.
The show spins the "what if?" premise into a bold narrative of self-discovery and female empowerment, set to chart-topping hits from pop legends like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and the Backstreet Boys. It's a glitter-drenched, heart-pumping celebration of rewriting the script-both literally and figuratively.
At the heart of this celebration of empowerment is the show’s exceptional female talent, which truly drives its success.
In her professional debut, Gerardine Sacdalan delivers a captivating performance as Juliet, transforming the character into a modern heroine-both fierce and vulnerable.
Sacdalan brings a refreshing energy to the role, perfectly capturing Juliet’s journey of self-realisation. Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence make every number shine, from the explosive opening of "…Baby One More Time" to the empowering "Roar."
Gerardine Sacdalan at Juliet in & Juliet, at Sheffield Theatres. Credit: Matt Crockett
Sacdalan’s Juliet is more than just a character; she’s a force of resilience and independence, embodying the spirit of empowerment that defines the reimagined narrative. If there's any doubt that Sacdalan is a pop star in the making, her performance will quickly erase it.
Someone, please sign her to a record deal - we need her in the charts. Her voice and charisma are simply too good to be confined to the stage.
Lara Denning also delivers a standout performance as Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife. Denning imbues the role with wit, warmth, and emotional depth, adding a compelling layer to the narrative as Anne explores love, identity, and self-worth. One of the most memorable moments in Denning's performance is her powerful rendition of "That's The Way It Is," a showstopper that showcases both her vocal ability and emotional range, leaving the audience in awe.
One of the most progressive elements of & Juliet is its celebration of gender fluidity. Jordan Broatch portrays May, a non-binary character whose journey of identity and love is seamlessly woven into the broader narrative of self-discovery.
Lara Denning and Gerardine Sacdalan in & Juliet. Credit: Matt Crockett
Their performance of "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" becomes a powerful anthem of self-expression, offering a refreshing and inclusive perspective on love and identity.
The show cleverly nods to theatre history, humorously acknowledging that all of Shakespeare's original actors were men-playing women in the process. This playful remark raises a thought-provoking question: does gender really matter when telling a love story? In & Juliet, the answer is clear - it doesn't. Love, identity, and empowerment transcend labels in this vibrant and inclusive retelling, making the show both timely and timeless.
While the themes and performances are the driving force of & Juliet, it’s worth noting that not all vocal performances hit the same high mark. In particular, the male cast members’ vocals didn’t always match the powerful delivery of their female counterparts, which at times made it harder to fully appreciate the ensemble’s overall talent.
Jukebox musicals have become increasingly popular, often winning over audiences with their familiar soundtracks. Yet, it begs the question: do we really need another show built around pop songs?
There were moments in & Juliet when the energy in the auditorium felt less like a theatrical performance and more like a karaoke session, with some audience members belting along from their seats. While fun, it did raise the question of whether a more original score could have elevated the storytelling and created a deeper emotional impact.
That being said, the production’s overall energy, ambition, and the incredible performances, especially from the leading women, are undeniable. & Juliet may not have the depth of an entirely original musical, but its infectious energy, progressive themes, and empowering messages make it a standout in the world of jukebox musicals.
Moreover, this vibrant reimagining of Shakespeare is a brilliant way to engage younger audiences, particularly school children, with the Bard’s work. It strips away the stigma of Shakespeare being “boring” and instead presents a fun, accessible, and relatable version of his iconic characters and themes. It’s the perfect gateway for anyone who’s ever been turned off by the traditional approach to Shakespeare.
Catch & Juliet at Sheffield Lyceum from 20 May to 31 May. Don’t miss this empowering, pop-infused reimagining of a classic love story.
Whether it's coming home or not, we've rounded up five of the best pubs, bars and cultural hubs in our home for you to watch the World Cup.
After getting eliminated in the quarter-final four years ago at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the England team are back with a vengeance as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup across USA, Canada and Mexico.
Just like every football tournament, there's always high hopes for our lads, and rightly so as this team has won once, placed fourth twice and reached the quarter-final stage a whopping 7 times.
This time round, the football frenzy is kicking off right in the middle of the British Summertime, and weather-depending we'll be enjoying a crisp pint or two with the sun beaming on us.
Failing that, we're sure there's plenty of indoor room at these five Sheffield spots where we can comfortably watch the match, and maybe grab a bite to eat too.
Where are some of the best places to watch the World Cup in Sheffield?
Riverside
Images: The Sheff
Self-appointed 'Friendly local pub' Riverside is located in Kelham Island and is hosting matches throughout the pub and to ensure everyone gets a good seat, they're showing England games in their function room and courtyard too.
It's no surprise that this notable South Yorkshire watering hole is screening as many football games as they can, as it's recognised for hosting all sorts of activites including a Cowgirls and Cocktails night recently with painting, limbo and drinks.
Known for its iconic neon sign which adorns the side wall of the pub that overlooks its accompanying beer garden, this Sheffield pub is encouraging footy lovers to make bookings to avoid disappointment, although walk-ins where possible will be welcomed.
Cambridge Street Collective
Images: The Sheff
If you didn't know already, Cambridge Street Collective is Europe's largest purpose-built food hall with a variety of bars and some seriously tasty scran being served up by 20 diverse kitchens.
In case that wasn't enough to tempt you, it's launching some deals just in time for this football celebration with £10 entry securing you a nice seat and a pint valued up to £7.
There's even £5 Pravha an hour before England match kick-offs, live DJs to give the space a more fan zone-esque feel as well as a retro footy shirt pop-up on Sunday 14 June from 12pm to 4.30pm.
Kapital
Images: The Sheff
This 'promised land of European drinking and dining' is obviously getting involved in all the World Cup action with free entry and no bookings required.
This booze-filled institution is even giving away free pints of Paulaner for you to enjoy during England's first match against Croatia through the link in their bio.
After a beer? There's definitely no short supply as you can grab a one litre stein. Prefer a cocktail? You're in luck as this Sheffield pub is pouring frozen margs too.
Also joining in on the generosity with a giveaway is Neepsend Social, who are offering a free pint for you and a mate during any of the upcoming World Cup matches.
Although not much is listed about their plans for the World Cup, considering this social club is always running a variety of events, it's more than likely they're getting involved in showing the footy.
This venue is walk-in only and dog friendly, meaning you really can bring everyone you know including your friend's nan's dog - pawfect.
BOX Sheffield
Images: The Sheff
This designated sports bar is obviously making the most of the World Cup celebrations, even hosting an orchestra take-over at their London Piccadilly location playing iconic anthems.
All their sites across the UK are getting booked up fast, so if you're after watching England with a few pals here, it's better to get this booked sooner rather than later.
Not in the mood for football but still up for a party? Their Sheffield location has a couple of karaoke pods available to hire too - We're sure 'Three Lions' will be on the playlist regardless.
Viral Manchester bakery Gooey is opening in Sheffield this summer
Clementine Hall
Manchester’s beloved bakery and brunch spot Gooey is officially coming to Sheffield.
The bakery is famed for its chunky freshly-baked cookies, its pillow-soft doughnuts, and its sticky, icing-topped cinnamon rolls, as well as viral brunch dishes.
If you’ve spent any amount of time scrolling through social media over the last few years, chances are you’ve seen Gooey’s famous creations pop up on your feed.
From chunky cookies that barely fit in your hand to those picture-perfect egg sandos, the Manchester-born brand has become a go-to for sweet treats and brunch lovers alike.
Right now, Gooey operates two cafés in Manchester city centre, as well as three smaller kiosks dotted around the city for anyone needing a quick sugar fix on the go. There’s also a kiosk over in Liverpool, but the new Meadowhall opening marks another exciting step in the brand’s expansion outside its home city.
Images: The Manc Group
The first signs of the move appeared over the weekend, when Gooey’s unmistakable branding was spotted inside the shopping centre. Signage at the unit revealed that shoppers can expect all the favourites, including cookies, doughnuts, coffee, and matcha drinks.
The best part? There's not too long to wait.
The new Gooey Meadowhall site is set to open in summer 2026, meaning Sheffield residents will soon be able to get their hands on the bakery’s viral bakes without making the trip over the Pennines.
You’ll find the new store on the first floor of Meadowhall, above Mango and right next to Fraser Hart.
Safe to say, Sheffield’s bakery game is about to get a serious upgrade. We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we find out.
Declan Kelly -
21st May 2025 
