The producers of & Juliet have announced the star of the new Australian production of the hit musical.
The lead role of Juliet will be played by Lorinda May Merrypor, who stars in the show from February 2023 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.
26-year-old Merrypor trained at Queensland Conservatorium and has performed ensemble roles in American Idiot and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. She most recently appeared in a touring production of Tony Briggs’ The Sapphires, and has also run workshops for aspiring young performers in remote communities across regional Queensland. Lorinda May is a proud Aboriginal and South Sea Islander woman.
Director of the show, Luke Sheppard, said in a statement: “The moment we met Lorinda we knew she had something very special. Her extraordinary voice with its distinct pop sensibility blew us away, but it was her remarkable magnetism and power as a storyteller that made it clear she would be Australia’s ‘Juliet’.”
Lorinda May Merrypor said: “Ever since I could walk or talk it’s been my dream to perform a role like ‘Juliet’. When I got the call I burst into tears, just so overwhelmed that I have the opportunity to play such a strong and passionate female lead. I’ve grown up listening to Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry, and I’m beyond excited that I will get to sing these iconic pop anthems night after night. I’m also excited to represent my First Nations community and the generations of storytellers that make me who I am as a performer.”
The full Australian cast will be announced later this week, and the musical will play in Melbourne from 6 February to 9 April 2023.
& Juliet has a book by Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, and music by Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin. The Australian production is produced by Michael Cassel Group in association with MTM/LeyLine.
The show is currently playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London until March 2023, and opened this month on Broadway.
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