Starcrossed @ Wilton’s Music Hall
1st - 25th June 2022
Production photos by Pamela Raith
A funny, sexy, tender new take on Romeo and Juliet at the iconic Wilton’s Music Hall for a limited run only.
What if Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet had told a different story?
Tybalt and Mercutio. Sworn enemies. Secret lovers.
Separated by family feuds but drawn together by an unexpected love and passion that cannot be ignored…or admitted.
This critically-acclaimed play by Rachel Garnet brings a whole new life to the tale of the starcrossed lovers.
This is Shakespeare like you’ve never seen!
Running time: 1hr 40mins plus a 20 minute interval
CAST
Mercutio - Tommy Sim’aan
Tybalt - Delves
The Player - Gethin Alderman
Ed Tunningley (undestudy)
Creatives
Directed by Philip Wilson
Lighting by Simisola Majekodunmi
Design: Ruari Murchison
Music & sound: Harry Blake
Director & Intimacy Coordinator: Haruka Kuroda
Casting Director: Harry Blumenau
Press Reviews:
★★★★★
“American playwright Rachel Garnet's take, critically acclaimed in the States and now receiving a flawless UK premiere by director Philip Wilson, has to be one of the most original yet…The astonishingly versatile Gethin Alderman plays everything else, including an earnest Romeo, a Lord Capulet with a whiff of Prince Charles about him, a hilarious yet oddly touching Juliet..a joyous gift for physical comedy, Alderman is an athletic, shape-shifting delight.
“This is an inspired bit of programming for Pride month, but a play, production and performances this fine would be a must-see at any time of the year.”
Alun Hood - WhatsOnStage
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★★★★
“Gethin Alderman bags all the other roles, including Romeo, Paris, Lords Capulet and Montague, Tybalt’s vituperative alcoholic beggar of a father (a highly viable Garnet invention) and even, albeit briefly, Juliet. His virtuosic and often amusing versatility binds the show together.
“Garnet’s language, some of it neatly borrowed from the Bard, is by turns unpretentiously witty and sensitive. If the inevitable conclusion of her self-billed “untold tale” doesn’t quite attain the depth or carry the sting it should, there are enough twists in it to make it matter.”
Donald Hutera - The Times
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★★★★
“[T]houghtful, surprising and original…Gethin Alderman – who plays all the roles besides Tybalt and Mercutio – manages to make the scene changes both slick and silly, with little more than a few perfectly timed winks, groans and grins…a giddy delight.”
Miriam Gillinson - The Guardian
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★★★★
“An imaginative, passionate and playful homage…it’s done with minimal props, a couple of swordfights, a few songs, lots of rhyming couplets, and a miraculous performer named Gethin Alderman playing a myriad of parts.
Alastair James - Attitude
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“In Starcrossed, her reworking of Romeo and Juliet, Rachel Garnet provides a masterclass in adaptation…a wonderfully comic Gethin Alderman as The Player…Starcrossed is true and timeless, both old and new, and amongst the best plays I have seen this year.”
Sandra Giorgetti - British Theatre Guide
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★★★★
“[T]he ridiculously brilliant Gethin Alderman…Credited as The Player, his transformations are astounding. Razor-sharp vocal control and impressive physicality result in a multi-faceted delivery. He handles drama (Salvatore the beggar, Capulet, Benvolio...) and comedy (Paris, Juliet...) with equal ease, shuffling his roles and jumping between genres effortlessly…Another highlight is his brief stint as Juliet. He certainly is a sight with his period-accurate outfit, but he's also shockingly profound.
Starcrossed is exquisite on many levels, definitely a play to see.”
Cindy Marcolina - BroadwayWorld UK
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★★★★
“Lest we forget though, perhaps the true hero of this play – Gethin Alderman. Multi-rolling as Romeo, Lord Capulet, Paris, Friar Laurence, and a beggar, Alderman is ingenious in the way he adapts his voice and stance – even when moving the set around he remains in character, sending ripples of laughter across the theatre. He truly ties the whole production together, from playing the grating Paris, to a love-sick Juliet asking Tybalt if he would judge her if she ran away, in a touching moment where Tybalt understands more than she could ever realise.
There are countless interpretations and spin-offs of Shakespeare’s arguably most popular production, but Garnet’s play is a pleasure to behold – although a heart-wrenching ending is still unavoidable, this story feels surprisingly new and refreshing.”
Tess Kennedy - Upper Circle
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★★★★
"An intelligent, moving, original, tangential response to Romeo and Juliet…It’s clever stuff which pounds along with great clarity…Gethin Alderman plays almost all the parts except Tybalt and Mercuitio and he is a magnificent, often very funny, actor…Starcrossed is refreshing and enjoyable because, despite its plot twist, it actually celebrates Shakespeare’s play."
Susan Elkin - Sardines Magazine
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★★★★★
"This review is spoiler-free because you absolutely must go see Starcrossed.
Gethin Alderman (The Player) was an absolute joy to watch. He superbly played the roles of Romeo, Benvolio, Lord Capulet and Montague, Friar Lawrence, Count Paris, Juliet, and added character Salvatori (Tybalt’s father). He was able to provide comic relief one moment and be completely serious the next. His added elements of breaking the fourth wall and changing the set with a sly smile to the audience were brilliant.
“Starcrossed is a passionate, heart-breaking play that cries out in anguish for those who had and still have to hide their love for society’s sake. Yet, by its very existence and performance, it also provides hope and comfort. Five stars doesn’t do it justice."
Jill Johnson - Lost In Theatreland
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★★★★★
"Special mention has to be made of scene-stealing Gethin Alderman, who takes on the massive challenge of playing ALL the supporting roles from Paris to Juliet. His comic timing is a masterclass. His chemistry with Delves and Sim’ann is superb and when it comes to the execution of the twists and turns that Garnet has woven into her script, these are accomplished with an ease that is formidable, adding an air of campness to the play that also works very well."
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★★★★
“An enjoyable show with great interludes from The Player, passing jokes and some thought-provoking ideas…If you love classics and enjoy seeing the greatest hits reimagined, then Starcrossed is one for you.”
Elizaveta Kolesnikova - Theatre Weekly
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★★★★
“Philip Wilson’s masterly direction...Gethin Alderman relishes the opportunity to show off his versatile speaking voice in the many multi-roles he fulfils…Starcrossed is ingenious, not since Tom Stoppard’s exploration of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern has there been such an audacious rewrite of Shakespearean off-stage antics"
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★★★★★
“Rachel’s writing dovetails into the plot of Romeo and Juliet so perfectly, you could imagine they came from the same quill [as Shakespeare’s]…The writing is excellent…Alderman brings life to everyone and makes each character a unique and believable person on the stage. A superb performance of comedy and tragedy in equal measure which Alderman delivers with panache.
“Starcrossed is an excellent show that shows reverence to Shakespeare but is also an excellent piece of writing in its own right. There is a fine mix of tragedy and comedy…and you cannot help but fall into the lives of these two young men”
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★★★★
“Rachel Garnet’s text is bold and brilliant…Gethin Alderman embodies all the other characters…It shouldn’t work, but Alderman nails it with deft comic timing and a huge, knowing wink to the audience…Shakespeare would be proud.”
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★★★★1/2
“What is clear from the start of the play is that this cast is bursting at the seams with talent…Of course, we cannot compliment the cast without mentioning the MVP of the show Gethin Alderman, who effortlessly shifts from one character to the next to aid the plot wonderfully…this production was accomplished, refined, compelling, and the perfect thing to see this Pride month if you’re a Shakespeare fan looking for a new refreshing take on his classic tale.”
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★★★★
“Writer Rachel Garnet and director Philip Wilson have hit on something here which is very good, that has an elegance to it that is stunning.
“Special mention has to be made of scene-stealing Gethin Alderman, who takes on the massive challenge of playing ALL the supporting roles from Paris to Juliet. His comic timing is a masterclass. His chemistry with Delves and Sim’ann is superb and when it comes to the execution of the twists and turns that Garnet has woven into her script, these are accomplished with an ease that is formidable.
“Starcrossed will put a spring in your step and a smile on your face and is well worth seeing.”
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★★★★★
“[A] superbly written play Rachel Garnet…In a truly remarkable series of cameos, Gethin Alderman had a very busy evening playing everyone else…Best of all, is his portrayal of a new character, Salvatore…This is a ‘tour de force’ of improvisation worthy of the old repertory theatre tradition…This show is quite simply the best experience I have had in a theatre for a very long time, and I cannot recommend it too highly.”
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★★★★★
“[D]iverting theatre with terrific performances by the cast of three…the lanky Gethin Alderman who plays everyone else has a gift for comedy which allows him to breach that fourth wall and take the audience into his confidence…this is one production which ought to be collected.”
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★★★★
“[T]he small scale production is an absolute gem, relying on wit and beautiful wordplay to develop a romance which is at once awkward and stilted, but which is also revelatory and manages to assume a charming demureness…Gethin Alderman (gelling the play together as a host of supporting characters each with their own tone and manner)…[this production] deserves a cheering audience just as it received on Press Night.”
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★★★★
“Starcrossed…is another excellent addition to the canon…stealing the show is Gethin Alderman in an ‘everything else’ role – from Romeo to Paris to (brilliantly, if only briefly) Juliet – he flits from comedy to drama effortlessly…a show so thoughtful and clever that we’re not sure we’ll ever think about Romeo and Juliet in the same way again.”
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★★★
“For her inspired take, Garnet neatly weaves the familiar text and verse into her own poetic story of forbidden love…We know how it’s going to end after all, but thankfully Garnet’s eloquent script has a few surprises in it to keep it fresh and satisfying.”
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★★★★
“Starcrossed is a clever, witty and thought-provoking re-telling of the Bard’s classic, directed by Philip Wilson…Gethin Alderman as ‘The Player’ is a tour de force. Taking on every other part in this story his ability to adapt both body and voice is mesmerising. And just occasionally, faintly terrifying!”
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★★★★
“A bold and witty reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet, cleverly composed from fragments of Shakespeare original text…The versatile and multi-talented Gethin Alderman, credited only as “The Player”, performs every other part. He is lovesick Romeo, condescending Paris, steely Capulet, and more, all with distinct mannerisms and voices, alternating comic sequences with deadly threats. He even manages to make his costume changes hilarious…Shakespeare fans will find much to delight them here.”
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“Huge kudos has to go to Gethin Alderman (The Player) who takes on multiple roles…He is incredibly tall and uses his physical presence with humour and skill. His performance is a masterclass in comic acting.”
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★★★★
“With a cast of three, this queer love story played in the shadows of the Montague/ Capulet feud is genuinely affecting and looks right at home in Wilton’s Music Hall’s atmospheric auditorium.”
Production Photos by Pamela Raith