Kiwi Star Kristin Paulse Wows in &Juliet Musical

Auckland's notoriously reserved theatre crowds did something rare last night: they jumped to their feet mid-show to dance along with the music.

The reason? Kristin Paulse, a pint-sized New Zealand performer whose talent lit up the Civic Theatre's opening night of &Juliet. Her dimples were visible from the back row, and her voice was even more commanding.

Paulse stars as Juliet Capulet in this musical that flips Shakespeare's tragedy on its head. Instead of dying for a relationship that lasted less than a week, this Juliet chooses independence and adventure. The twist creates a battle between William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway over how the story should unfold.

The show stitches together legendary pop anthems from Swedish songwriter Max Martin. If you've ever belted out "Baby One More Time," "I Want It That Way," or "Since U Been Gone," you already know half the soundtrack. These aren't random song choices but the actual hits that soundtracked millennial heartbreaks, house parties, and first loves.

&Juliet proves Shakespeare was never meant to be stuffy. The original playwright wrote for everyone, mixing highbrow poetry with dirty jokes and rowdy entertainment. This production captures that spirit with pyrotechnics, breathtaking set design, and choreography that leaves audiences gasping.

Why This Inspires

Theatre often feels inaccessible, locked behind expensive tickets and cultural gatekeeping. &Juliet throws those barriers out the window. It celebrates that pop music and classic literature can coexist, that joy doesn't need to be complicated, and that choosing yourself is always a valid ending.

The show also weaves in tender moments without preaching. A love story between two male characters reminds audiences that happiness doesn't require labels. Comedy arrives through unexpected characters, including Lance, whose confident charm had mothers and daughters alike giggling on the drive home.

Paulse leads dance numbers that would exhaust professional athletes while hitting vocal notes that fill the historic theatre. Her performance reminds us that homegrown talent can rival any international import. New Zealand audiences are watching one of their own shine bright.

The production runs through early June across three cities, giving thousands of people the chance to experience pure theatrical joy. No heavy themes to unpack, no depressing endings. Just infectious music, spectacular performers, and proof that sometimes the best stories are the ones where everyone gets to have fun.

After two years of cancelled shows and closed venues, seeing a packed theatre rise in unison feels like its own kind of victory.