Pacific star backs bold new take on Juliet as hit musical lands in NZ

What if Juliet didn’t die for Romeo and instead chose her own future?

That’s the idea behind & Juliet, a global hit musical now touring New Zealand, which reimagines Shakespeare’s famous love story with a modern twist and a soundtrack of pop anthems.

Featuring songs by Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and the Backstreet Boys, the musical flips the tragic ending into a story about independence, identity, and starting again.

Powerhouse Sāmoan-Fijian vocalist Lavina Williams, who plays Juliet’s nurse Angélique, is the only Pacific woman in the all-Kiwi cast.

“This is making history,” Williams tells Niu FM’s The Rush. “Being the only Pasifika woman, Fijian-Sāmoan woman in the cast is huge for me. So I'll be holding my flag up proudly.

Williams says her role goes beyond performance as she looks to connect Pacific audiences with musical theatre.

“This is the best way to introduce the theatre world to our community…another reason why I'm standing in the gap for that, is to connect the world. I really want to encourage people to please come and watch the show.”

Best known for her powerful vocals, Williams’ last appeared on stage in 2020 as Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act.

Since then, she has spent time supporting rising artists, working behind-the-scenes for her siblings’ musical careers, and guest performing at various festivals.

She says the role of Angélique was the chance to bring “big mama” energy to the stage.

“I really did gravitate towards the role because it's who I am as a person in life," Williams says. “Being the oldest of a musical family, the Williams family, is what I live by.

“But then when I read the whole show, the storyline, I immediately wanted to be a part of a show like this.”

The musical centres on women’s empowerment with Juliet rewriting her own story and stepping away from the expectations placed on her.

“It’s taking back her power,” Williams says. “And also writing her own destiny and writing her own storyline, without having her parents. Without having Romeo knocking on her door. Erase all that stuff.”

Written by Schitt’s Creek writer, David West Read, the show mixes humour with familiar pop hits, making it accessible even for those who may not connect with traditional Shakespeare.

The full cast of '& Juliet'. Photo/GnTProductions/Screenshot

The musical features global chart toppers such as Baby One More Time, Roar, Since U Been Gone, and I Want It That Way, produced and written by Max Martin. The Swedish songwriter has more number ones to his name than any other artist this century.

Williams says if she could add one more song, it would be Ma-V-Elle’s Depend On Me.

“Break it down and just have an acoustic guitar…and Angélique would sing it because it really is a positive, uplifting song. You can Depend On Me, Juliet,” she says.

With a fresh take on a classic, & Juliet promises something new and asks a simple question: what happens when Juliet Capulet chooses herself?

& Juliet opens at Auckland’s Civic Theatre on Thursday 9 April, before heading to Wellington and Christchurch. Tickets are available here.