A bold new take on one of literature’s most famous love stories is heading to the stage, as Free-Rain Theatre prepares to present the pop musical & Juliet at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre.

& Juliet is a fresh take on the Romeo and Juliet romance, but this time, the story takes a new turn, imagining what might happen if Juliet does not die. Instead, she sets out on a new journey of discovery, independence, and friendship, surrounded by an array of vibrant characters and a soundtrack of hit songs by legendary songwriter Max Martin.

Actor Jackson Gibbs, who plays William Shakespeare in the production, says the story begins with the playwright himself reconsidering the ending of his famous tragedy.

“Shakespeare has just finished writing the ending to Romeo and Juliet and it’s opening night of the show,” Jackson says. “When he presents it to the cast and to his wife, Anne Hathaway, they look at it with a slightly less enthusiastic eye than he does.”

After the pair begin rewriting the story together, Jackson says Shakespeare finds himself challenged in ways he doesn’t expect.

“He really does take on quite an antagonistic role through most of the show,” he says. “It’s about walking that line where the audience might want to hate him at times, but still find something lovable about him.”

Vanessa Valois, who plays Anne Hathaway, says the character offers a powerful perspective within the story.

“Anne is an absolute dream character to play because she has so much depth and heart,” Vanessa says. “She realises that she deserves to be more than just the wife or the support to her husband, more than a supporting character in someone else’s story.”

While the musical delivers plenty of humour and spectacle, Vanessa says it also carries an emotional depth that resonates with audiences.

“I think the thing with this show is that it’s light and fun and glittery, but it also has these really poignant, heartfelt moments that shine through,” she says.

“Ultimately it celebrates strong women and people being unapologetically themselves, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud to be putting on stage.”

Free-Rain Theatre Company’s production of & Juliet runs at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre from Tuesday 31 March to Sunday 26 April. Tickets and information are available at theq.net.au.