In what is one of the most feel-good musicals to come to Singapore this year, the Michael and BASE Entertainment Asia’s production of West End smash-hit & Juliet has delighted local fans to no end. Bringing together songs by Max Martin, who’s produced some of pop’s greatest hits, from Britney Spears’ .’..Baby One More Time’ to Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’, Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea’s ‘Problem’ to the Backstreet Boys’ ‘I Want It That Way’, each musical number reimagines your favourite idols’ hits as never before.

But this isn’t just a revue of songs – tied to & Juliet is a powerful coming-of-age story that reimagines Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and wonders – what if Juliet didn’t kill herself at the end? Would she have become the star of her own story and found true love for herself? The only way to find out is to watch the musical, as it plays for its final week at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands.

We spoke to cast members Lorinda May Merrypor (Juliet), Jesse Dutlow (May) and Blake Appelqvist (Romeo) from this production on their relationship with Shakespeare, life, as performing artists, and what they’ve been up to in Singapore. Read the interview in full below:

Were you a Shakespeare fan before starring in & JULIET? How has your knowledge of Shakespeare increased since starting the show?

Lorinda May Merrypor: I had learnt about Shakespeare in school and as an actor I was always coming across his scripts but it wasn’t until & Juliet that I started taking a more in-depth interest in his work and life. I really love the idea that Shakespeare was kind of a pop star of his time and in & Juliet you get to see a manifestation of that and it’s honestly incredible. 

Jesse Dutlow: Not particularly! I studied Literature at uni and there are a few of his plays that I really enjoy. One of my high school plays was called “Willow Shakespeare” which was a really cool concept where a girl named Willow hired a guy named Andrew Hathaway (do you see where I’m going with this?) to pretend he wrote her plays so she could have them performed. It was great. Shakespeare’s works are so ripe for adaptation and that’s why I’m so excited to be in “& Juliet”. 

Blake Appelqvist: Absolutely – I have been a fan of Shakespeare’s work since high school where I was first introduced to it. Just before starting with this show, I finished up doing a new Australian musical based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream called “The Lovers” which is one of my favourite plays. & Juliet demystifies the Bard in a way that makes Shakespeare a person and I love the parallels between pop music and the text because they both exist in a heightened truthful space that matches each others energies and way of storytelling.

Who is your ultimate pop idol/group and why?

Lorinda: I’m such a pop music fanatic so I have so many names I could list but I’m forever an Ariana Grande fan, Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter are also releasing some of my favourite music at the moment. And for a pop group it would have to be Blackpink, their stage presence is unmatched, I’d love to see them live! 

Jesse: It’s definitely Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child. I was in preschool when I first discovered them and their music has brought so much joy to my life. 

Blake: Frank Ocean. I love Frank’s style of writing, from the references to iconic films in the lyrics to the music production, it’s all very introspective, unapologetic, queer and original.

In what ways do you think you relate to your character? What do you learn from them?

Lorinda: Juliet in our version is going through a sort of growth spurt. She’s figuring out who she is and who she wants to be; a journey I think everyone goes through at some point in their life. She’s taking back control over her life and standing up for herself. I’ve never been great at speaking up for myself so it’s inspiring for me getting to play Juliet every night and learn from and live vicariously through her. 

Jesse: Other than the obvious similarities in my journey with my gender identity, May is such a romantic and is willing to fight for their love. They’ve taught me to trust and follow my heart. 

Blake: We share the same heart, but I think Romeo has way more confidence than me haha. Romeo teaches me to be bold, love loudly and accept the value I hold without question – which is something we can all take on board and bring to the people in our lives.

Besides & Juliet, are there any other musical theatre dream roles you have? On that note, what was the moment that made you realise ‘yeah, I want to become a performer?

Lorinda: I feel like I’m always discovering new dream roles. I recently went to New York and saw Hadestown on Broadway so my current dream role is Eurydice. I love the depth of the story and the music scratches an itch in my brain every time I sing it or hear it. And the moment I knew I wanted to do Musical Theatre, I was 9 years old and I was watching the movie ‘High School Musical’ for the first time. I knew from then that I wanted to sing, dance and act all at the same time. 

Jesse: I saw Callum Francis play Lola in Kinky Boots in 2016 and that was probably the first time I saw a musical that had someone like me in the lead role. It made me feel like there was a place for me up on that stage. That’s why representation is so important. That’s still one of my dream roles. This is so random but I’d also love to play John Legend in a musical if they ever do that. 

Blake: I don’t really have a dream role, but I would love to be a part of originating roles in new musicals. My dreams are to make our musical theatre industry back home more normalised in our culture and create pieces that tell our stories. The “moment” for me was watching Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway – that show, the score, and the storytelling made me want to live with that much freedom, share stories that matter and sing from your soul.

What kind of role models did you have growing up? Were there any that particularly made you realise that you wanted to be like them one day?

Lorinda: I think growing up I didn’t see a lot of representation of people who looked like me or came from a similar background to me out there doing the sorts of things I dreamed of. I remember watching Jessica Mauboy on Australian Idol and that was huge for me to see that representation in the Aussie entertainment industry. But Musical Theatre was always my passion, Broadway is the kind of pinnacle of that dream, so there wasn’t someone just like me that I could see who was doin what I dreamt of. I’ve found inspiration over the years in incredible performers like Renee Elise Goldsberry and Eva Noblezada and now looking over the sea at my sister Juliet, Lorna Courtney – she is such a powerhouse and inspiration to me. 

Jesse: I grew up in a very religious context. I went to a Christian school and went to church on the weekends. So when I was growing up, I wasn’t around anyone who was “out”. I remember coming out to my sibling who is three years older than me, who is also queer and we have always been a safe space for each other. Their name is Gaz. I still look up to them so much and I’m so grateful I have them in my life. 

Blake: I’ve always looked up to my parents, who worked hard every day to give my siblings and I the kind of futures where we could choose what we wanted to do with our lives. They worked extremely hard for their dreams, and they inspire me to do the same with my career – a job done well is a job well done.

Tell us more about your time in Singapore, especially with regards to your experience prior to coming here for & Juliet, and if there’s one thing you’d love to do during your blackout days while here.

Lorinda: Coming to Singapore has been such a dream. It is only my second time leaving Australia, and my first time performing internationally so Singapore is my international debut and I’ve loved it so much. We’ve had some of the most amazing audiences here and getting to explore on our days off is also something we’re all grateful for. Seeing the light show at Gardens by the Bay was one of the most magical experiences and I think if I lived here I would be there every week. 

Jesse: I’m so excited to be here. It’s not everyday a show like ours comes to Singapore and we have been overwhelmed by the joy in the theatre every night. I’m actually going to the Gardens By The Bay tonight with my friend, Nicole. I’m really excited to see this iconic Singaporean landmark. 

Blake: I love exploring and finding new eateries, and throughout my time here already I’ve had a lot of success finding good food, chatting to wonderful locals who have given me recommendations to other places and enjoying the heat 🥵😍

Any advice for aspiring musical theatre performers who hope to follow in your footsteps one day, especially those still trying to get their big break?

Lorinda: Don’t lose your passion and love for performing. Try to always carve out time to sing and dance for yourself and not just for an audition or a job. It’s infectious to watch someone doing what they love. Keeping that love for what you do will be the most important thing and that will always stop you from ever letting the bad days get on top of you. 

Jesse: Absolutely never give up on your dream and share your gift. The world needs your unique perspective so be brave and let your light shine. Don’t be afraid to start small, and don’t be afraid to be rejected. The “yes” means so much more when you know it’s the right opportunity for you. 

Blake: Work hard, go to class, meet people in the industry, attend as many shows as you can, read plays, listen to cast recordings, follow musical theatre creators online, write your own work, share it with friends and post your best work on social media so people can find your artistry.

Why is & Juliet an important show for anyone and everyone who can, to watch?

Lorinda: I believe & Juliet is the show everyone doesn’t know they need. It has something for everyone in the story, the characters and the amazing soundtrack. You’ll leave the theatre feeling absolutely on top of the world and so full of joy that you’ll wish you could experience this show over and over again.

Jesse: It’s a piece you can see yourself in, meaning you can relate to at least one of the characters. But it’s also got characters that are nothing like you, that can give you new perspectives. It’s also going to uplift you to one of the most dazzling soundtracks of songs you’ve loved all of your life.

Blake: Every night leaving stage door, there is always someone who tells me “you don’t know what this show means to us here” and that’s why you should come to & Juliet. It’s a wonderful, thrilling and hilarious night out at the theatre, yes, but the messaging, representation and undeniable joy we all feel being a part of this impactful show will be something you just have to experience. Trust me, if there’s one show you go to this year, make sure it’s & Juliet.

& Juliet plays from 21st September to 15th October 2023 at the Sands Theatre. Tickets available here