REVIEW: ROMEO & JULIET @ EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE

🎭 Romeo & Juliet

📍  Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB

🗓 Friday 4th July 2025

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COMPELLING AND RAW

Shakespeare has returned to the stage at the Exeter Northcott with their in-house production of ROMEO & JULIET where this timeless tale has been given a twenty-first century twist.

It's been a while since I've revisited this piece and what I found shocking was the relevance that it has today. The parallels to modern day society and politics was striking. The desperation of the youth was astounding and made me sit upright and take every moment in. By placing a show in a more modern setting, it really emphasised just how pertinent the text is.

This show is a creative masterpiece, with the set design by Fi Russell being the stand out star of the production. I enjoyed its subtleties, such as the use of a juliet balcony, and how by simply lowering a matress the outside became the inside. Little touches like these were genius.

Martin Berry's direction wonderfully filled the stage and demonstrated a complete understanding of the work. I enjoyed his decision to bring the audience into the piece, almost becoming an additional character. This made us feel more involved emotionally in what was happening.

The sound design by Robin Colyer worked incredibly well. Using music from artists such as The Prodigy or Florence and the Machine was unexpected, but really elevated the emotion within the scenes.

Marcus Bartlett's lighting design was pitched perfectly and did exactly what it intended to do. The choreography from Maria Tarokh was enjoyable whilst Maisie Carter as fight director seemed to sprinkle magic into the piece. The blood was really realistic and there was quite a bit of cleaning up of the stage to be done during the interval!

The titular characters were brought to life by Izzie Harding-Perrott and Madison Grace who had great chemistry and believability. Harding-Perrott brought a great sensitivity to Romeo, whilst also maintaining the charm and general juvenileness assosiated with the character. Grace demonstrated the purity of Juliet with great credibility. I enjoyed the creative decision to tuen some of the character's speeches into songs and Grace stood with just her guitar and her voice was a standout moment for me.

My favourite performance of the night came from Jodie Micciché. As the Nurse she was comically flamboyant whilst still remaining grounded and caring, giving a real heartfelt performance. I liked the way that she would look at the audience, bringing them into what she was feeling or sharing a joke with them. Her death scene as Tybalt was performed with great expertise.

The production used a community ensemble made up of locals, which fuses professional and amateur performers together in one production and opens theatre up to everyone which is wonderful and is to be celebrated.

This production is feisty and doesn't hold back. Engaging from start to finish I'm sure it could convert anyone into a Shakespeare fan. The talent on display is incredible and the duel rolling is to be applauded. This is Shakespeare done differently and, more importantly, done well.

Overall this is a brilliant production and is well worth seeing. ROMEO & JULIET is playing at the Exeter Northcott Theatre until Saturday 12th July and tickets are avaliable from just £10 each. Click here to check avaliability and to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.  

My ticket for this performance of Romeo & Juliet was gifted by Exeter Northcott Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given. 

CAST LIST:

Nuhazet Diaz Cano as Prince / Paris; Imogen Francis as Lady Capulet / Benvolio; Madison Grace as Juliet; Izzie Harding-Perrott as Romeo; Taraash Mehrotra as Mercutio / Friar Laurence; Jodie Micciché as Nurse / Tybalt

Ensemble: Caitlin Appleyard; Daisy Bevan; Christiana Bingley; Azura Choi; Dorry Dong; Órla Duggan; Ilinca Gheorgheasa; Amy Liz; Rosie Parker; Matilda Paul; Tabitha Star; Morven Stephenson; Joshua Wallace

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 40 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Violence; Gunshots; Blood; Suicide; Murder

AGE GUIDANCE:

9 + with parental guidance