London, United Kingdom – Fans gathered outside the London theater where Tom Holland stars in Romeo and Juliet, displaying unprecedented excitement. Despite the fanfare, critics inside were less enthusiastic about Holland’s performance as Romeo.
Critics described Holland’s portrayal as “fine” and “perfectly OK,” while showering more praise on Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in the role of Juliet. Time Out’s Andrzej Lukowski commended her performance as “great” for bringing a lightness that contrasts with Holland’s portrayal of a dour Romeo.
Director Jamie Lloyd’s minimalist production of Romeo and Juliet received mixed reviews, with Time Out giving it four stars for its brilliantly unsettling staging. However, some critics, like Clive Davis, found the production at times too formulaic, leaving the audience more perplexed than gripped.
The chemistry between the two lead actors was praised, with The Guardian’s Arifa Akbar highlighting their cool teen energy and emotional depth. Despite the strong performances, some critics felt the deliberate underplaying of emotions detracted from the play’s tragic essence.
Variety’s David Benedict criticized the production for lacking the exuberance of love and youth, pointing out slow pacing and disjointed pauses that disrupted the flow of the script. Baz Bamigboye from Deadline acknowledged the star power of Holland but felt the production fell short of excitement and energy.
Despite the lukewarm reception from critics, the London production drew massive crowds eager to catch a glimpse of Holland and his co-stars, reflecting the potential to attract a younger audience to Shakespearean theater. The buzz around the production could help spark new interest in traditional plays with a modern twist. Additionally, a new version of Romeo and Juliet on Broadway is set to debut, featuring fresh faces and innovative staging.