Romeo and Juliet 2026💛

Last week I took a solo trip to London to see Romeo and Juliet directed by Robert Icke. I have never been a Romeo and Juliet fan, I don’t really know why, for some reason I have always hated it. But when I saw this version starring Sadie Sink I debated going to see it. Since starring in Stranger Things Sadie Sink has quickly become one of my favourite Actresses so I was excited to see she was coming to London to do play on the West End. I originally didn’t book the show because I thought spending all that money going to London just to see a play I probably won’t like just because it has Sadie Sink in is a bit silly, but then the play started and I started seeing videos on social media of people saying how incredible the play is and I realised I would massively regret it if I didn’t see it. So the trip to London was booked. And I was both excited and nervous, I had never done a big solo trip before and as much as I love London going there on my own seemed a little scary because of how big it is and the fact that I don’t know my way around.

This year I wanted to get over the fear of being in London on my own, This year I’m going to explore it.

I’m also a fan of Noah Jupe, ever since I saw him in Wonder I have thought he’s an incredible actor so to get to see him and Sadie perform live (In her West End debut) was so incredibly exciting. I had high expectations for this show and I can tell you now those expectations were met.

It’s safe to say Sadie and Noah put on one of the best performances I have ever seen live. Their chemistry was amazing, the way they would look at each was beautiful. They portrayed the giddiness of young love so perfectly. They made us laugh, they made us cry, you really couldn’t ask for much more from a Romeo and Juliet. Robert Icke has directed such an interesting take on the story focusing on time, with a clock looming in the background during certain big scenes resetting to give us a slightly different version of the scene it added so much more emotion into an already emotional story. With very little set design the actors told the story in a way that we didn’t need a set to feel immersed. Whilst Sadie and Noah are the stars of the show, the rest of the cast were wonderful, they deserve so much more love for their performances. I really loved all of them. Clare Perkins who played the Nurse really stole the show she played the character with so much humour which I adored. Another stand out member of the cast for me was Kasper Hilton-Hille who played Mercutio, he was funny, crude and playful but he was also very lovable so his death scene was so upsetting to watch. Also side note I was not expecting so much meowing, I don’t remember reading that part of the play.

Most emotional of all was the heart-breaking ending, we all know the story of how they die but what I was not expecting to see is what could have been. Just before Juliet dies we get to see what her life could have been if Romeo didn’t die accompanied by a soundtrack which adds to the heartbreak of Juliet. I didn’t know you could make the ending to Romeo and Juliet more intense and Sorrowful but somehow Robert Icke managed it.

I loved how close the actors got with the audience especially with Noah he got right in the front row. Both Sadie and Noah would be stood right at the front on the steps leading up to the stage during some scenes so we really felt close to the characters both physically and emotionally. Noah would occasionally look into the audience for reactions to what was happening on stage which really made use feel like we were a part of the show which was absolutely magical.

I feel so lucky to have seen this performance of Romeo and Juliet and I wish I had seen it earlier and I wish I had seen it more than once. As a whole this was the best solo theatre trip I have ever had. Everyone I spoke to that evening were so kind, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

And it turns out I’m not a Romeo and Juliet hater anymore.

(All photos are taken by me)

Laura x