The Remix You Didn't Know You Needed

If you’re a Shakespeare fan, Auckland Theatre Company’s latest production of Romeo & Juliet is a must-see. And if you’re not? It might still be worth checking out – especially if you’re looking for a more memorable dinner date alternative.

While I wouldn’t call myself a Shakespeare head, I sincerely appreciate the fine arts; this production was undeniably beautiful. The stage design, costumes, music, and yes, a full-on dance number(!) were thoughtfully curated and impressively executed. The cast brought fiery passion to their performances, particularly during the (ahem) ooh la la scenes.

What surprised me, though, was how funny it was. Shakespeare isn’t always known for laughs, but this version delivered plenty with a distinctly modern edge. The 60s-inspired setting brought new life to the story, and the LGBTQ+ dynamics added a fresh, spicy twist that felt intentional and joyful. It allowed the audience to feel many different things throughout – grief, tension, giddiness, love – which makes it worth seeing even if Shakespeare’s not usually your thing.

Fair warning, though: the dialogue moves fast. You’ll want to stay sharp to keep up, so maybe save the wine for after… though maybe that’s just my Canadian ears struggling to match the Kiwi pace (lol!) But if you can pick up on the old-timey lingo and settle into the rhythm, this take on Romeo & Juliet has something for everyone.

I was lucky enough to connect with Benjamin Kilby-Henson, the director, to discuss his creative spin on the classic tragedy:

ZM: What drew you to this play, and what creative direction did you envision for it?

BKH: Romeo and Juliet is timeless – so full of joy and so full of pain – it warrants staging any time and all the time. It’s so prolific; however, the challenge is to find a new lens with which to see and hear it. Our approach has been to set the play in the 1960s – the decade of LOVE. It’s the perfect, glamorous backdrop for our version of Italy. Shakespeare, in his lifetime, never made it to Italy, so his version of Verona in the story is there to amplify the romanticism and the violence. Our nudging it into the 60s is doing the same thing – finding a beautiful backdrop for all of the play’s passion.

ZM: How did directing Romeo & Juliet differ from your work on The Effect and King Lear? What role did the Intimacy Coordinator play in shaping this production?

BKH: Every play has different needs and challenges. A Shakespeare will always warrant more time on the text and digging inside the florid and wonderful language. A play like The Effect has as much of a ‘score’ to the language as Shakespeare does, it’s just done so in a modern sensibility. The trick with The Effect is to advocate for the playwright and have the play delivered with the playwright’s intentions at the fore. A Shakespeare gives more scope – like working on a fantasy or a fairytale – so the opportunities for imagery and design are more open.

Lara Fischel-Chism, our Intimacy Coordinator, works closely with me and the Movement Director, Katrina George, to ensure the parameters of the intimate moments are negotiated and choreographed openly and fairly and with healthy communication.

ZM: Is there a particular emotion, idea, or question you hope the audience leaves with after seeing the show?

BKH: The play explores how the decisions made by those in power impact the next generation the most. As long as the world is at unrest, this exploration will always be relevant. I believe honouring the story, without thrusting an agenda into it, allows the audience space to relate to its themes in their own way, and to reflect from their perspective as individuals. It also never hurts to celebrate love in all forms!

Benjamin Kilby-Henson directs Auckland Theatre Company’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet at ASB Waterfront Theatre from 15 July to 9 August 2025.