23/09/2026
Romeo & Juliet – New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Reviewed by Nikki Talbot – The Talbies Breakfast Show, 6 Towns Radio
I went to see Romeo & Juliet at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme yesterday with my friend Linda, and I have to say… Shakespeare may just have won me over!
Directed by Jimmy Fairhurst from the Not Too Tame Theatre Company, this is Shakespeare with a very different approach. The story is transported from 16th-century Verona into the modern-day world of construction, where two fiercely feuding family firms — Montague and Sons and Capulet Homes — are at war.
And yet, despite the modern setting, the pressures are exactly the same as they were four centuries ago: love, conflict, desire, family, social hierarchy and antisocial behaviour — essentially, the fabric of life!
There’s also one rather significant difference. Romeo and Juliet aren’t teenagers here. They’re both 40 — giving this familiar story a fascinating and very modern twist.
And what a Romeo!
Actor and comedian Russell Kane absolutely played a blinder in the title role — and, I have to say, what a good-looking Romeo he made! Opposite him was the fabulous Natalie Casey, known for 2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Hollyoaks, who gave us an older but still wonderfully naive, acrobatic Juliet. Natalie was also extremely expressive and theatrically funny, bringing every emotion, reaction and comic moment vividly to life.
The chemistry between the two leads felt completely authentic — romantically innocent, but with just the right amount of sexiness.
The entire ensemble deserves credit too. Collectively, they created believable characters bursting with personality, charm and plenty of entertainment value. As an audience, we found ourselves hanging on to every word. And participating with eagerness and more than happy to do so. There were some Very funny interaction's from all of the supporting cast with members of the audience, literally laugh out loud moments .
And this is where I have to confess something…
I am a Shakespearean rookie. Yes, you read that correctly!
At school I was made to study Shakespeare and, quite honestly, I didn’t understand a word of it. I grew to have an almost complete hatred of anything ancient and historical. Childish? Yes. Teenage? Absolutely!
But this production cleverly mixes Shakespeare’s “ye olde” English with modern-day language, making the story far easier to follow. In fact, the acting — the pauses, the intonation and the sheer expression from the cast — often made the words themselves slightly less important.
You could feel what was happening.
So, did this new-generation version of what is, let’s call it what it actually is, an absolute classic, change my mind about Shakespeare?
I’m going to say — in the main part — YES!
Almost a convert!
So, go on. Let YOURSELF be educated. Give Shakespeare a chance. You might even have your own little epiphany.
This witty, clever and wonderfully unconventional Romeo & Juliet is at the New Vic Theatre every day until Saturday 10th October.
Go and see it. You might surprise yourself!
Nikki Talbot
The Talbies Breakfast Show
6 Towns Radio
