Reviews – & Juliet

7 April 2026

Free-Rain Theatre’s production of & Juliet is running from Tuesday 31 March – Sunday 26 April 2026.
Below are links to all the reviews of the production, with selected quotes.

QUOTES FROM THE REVIEWS – for the full reviews, please click through on the links above.

“A riotous romp… This quality, high-energy, fun and funny production of boy-band bangers and girl power was well deserving of the rowdy wolf whistles and enthusiastic standing ovation it received.”
– Samara Purnell, Canberra CityNews

“Free-Rain’s & Juliet is slick, insanely silly, vaguely blasphemous and completely absurd. If you were a teenager in 2000 and loved the music, or even if you just love pop, you will love this.
“The production works because it’s crammed full of youthful triple threats with huge voices, great choreography, spectacular costumes and rock show lighting.”
“Free-Rain pulls this feat [a jukebox musical] off with panache, sequins and red-hot bangers.”
– Cathy Bannister, Stage Whispers

“I have always come to expect a high-octane, pulse-pumping production from a Free-Rain musical. & Juliet, is no exception. It explodes with youthful energy from a young and enormously talented cast.“
“…a show full of excellent performances and stand out production values... “
“A new and ingeniously quirky version of a tragedy turned into a romantic comedy… bubbly and infectious musical… Free Rain’s & Juliet is definitely a show to love.“
– Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle

“… glitter-soaked musical…”
“If you are open to an evening of belting and partying to fun songs, while considering stories and who gets to tell them, & Juliet will prove a real treat.“
– Freya Rowell, Canberra Youth Theatre Young Critics

“If you have a taste for cheesy pop, flashy choreography … this is delightful turn-your-brain-off fun…”
– Simon Tolhurst, That Guy Who Watches Canberra Theatre

“.. it really is just crazy and tuneful fun.“
– Len Power, Canberra Critics Circle

“Gorgeous young Chloe Stevenson in the lead as Juliet has a powerful voice with a control that can twist with precision through R&B melismas to early Britney-Spears-esque halting gasps, to a full-throated Katy Perry roar.
– Cathy Bannister, Stage Whispers

“In a show full of excellent performances and standout production values, (Chloe) Stevenson headlines the show with powerhouse energy, talent and personality. A look at the song list indicates the enormous demand of the show on the performer playing Juliet, and Stevenson rises to the challenge. There is a moment in Stronger when she asserts her independent control over her life that I captured a glimpse of star quality and the promise of a future that could take her far. This is in a company of excellent, committed performers.”
– Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critic’s Circle

“Vanessa Valois struck the right balance of comedy and gravitas, with strong vocals…”
– Samara Purnell, Canberra CityNews

“Nurse Angelique (Katie Lis) is a role requiring good comedic timing as well as strong acting and singing and Lis is delightfully well-cast in this role. The scenes between her and Lance (David Santolin) had the audience in stitches.”
– Samara Purnell, Canberra CityNews

“And then there is the ensemble, which is talent to the last person on stage. Whether they’re breaking into spine-tingling harmonies or cutting shapes as they breeze through the dance, they are fantastic.”
– Cathy Bannister, Stage Whispers

“Musical director, Callum Tolhurst-Close, has obtained a fine sound in the singing and the band is hot!
– Len Power, Canberra Critics Circle