Premiere approaching: 40,000 tickets already sold for the musical & Julia
The world’s most famous love story gets a new ending when the London and Broadway sensation & Julia premieres on Helsinki City Theatre’s Main Stage on 20 August. Producer Max Martin’s hits from the 1990s and early 2000s are at the heart of this jukebox musical, which has already sold 63 % of its tickets.
What if Shakespeare’s Romeo ja Julia did not end in death, but Juliet survived the tragedy? That is the question posed by the musical & Julia, in which William Shakespeare (Tuukka Leppänen) and his wife Anne Hathaway (Maria Lund) rewrite the ending of the classic. Juliet (Renée Böök) gets to make a different choice and start over.
The result is an energetic pop musical that gives the world of 16th-century theatre a fresh boost from some of the biggest pop classics of the 1990s and early 2000s. The show’s score features world-famous hits written by Swedish songwriter Max Martin for artists including Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys and Katy Perry, including …Baby One More Time, It’s My Life, Larger Than Life, I Want It That Way and Roar. The songs are performed in both Finnish and English.
According to director Samuel Harjanne, & Julia also resonates through its timely social themes:
“& Julia speaks directly to the current social debate about young people’s well-being, equal opportunities and whether I have the power to make decisions about my own future. The most moving aspect of this energetic and emotionally rich musical is young Juliet’s inner journey towards understanding that she is worthy, important and deserving of love. When these powerful themes are combined with the gems of Max Martin’s hit catalogue, the electrifying atmosphere at Helsinki City Theatre will go through the roof. This musical will be an unforgettable experience for many,” Harjanne reflects.
The musical’s cast brings together rising stars and leading names in Finnish musical theatre: Renée Böök (Juliet), Mikko Peltomäki (Romeo), Tuukka Leppänen (William Shakespeare), Maria Lund (Anne Hathaway), Martti Manninen (François), Niki Rautén (May), Laura Alajääski (Angélique), Risto Kaskilahti (Lance), Raili Raitala (Lady Capulet) and Mikko Vihma (Lord Capulet).
The musical was written by David West Read, also known for the hit comedy series Schitt’s Creek. The musical is directed by Samuel Harjanne. The nine-piece orchestra is conducted by Eeva Kontu, with choreography by Gunilla Olsson-Karlsson. The set is designed by Peter Ahlqvist. Costume design is by Elina Kolehmainen. Lighting and video design are by Toni Haaranen and William Iles, and sound design is by Kai Poutanen. Hair and make-up design is by Aino Hyttinen. The musical has been translated into Finnish by Paavo Leppäkoski, and the dramaturg is Henna Piirto.
Read Renée Böök’s interview: Renée Böök makes her debut in a leading role
Read the director’s interview on the theatre’s website: New beginnings and the thrill of pop hits
The performance is surtitled in Finnish, Swedish and English.
& Julia premieres on 20.8.2026 on the Main Stage at Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5).
Standard ticket 96 €, student ticket 48 € (Mon–Thu), senior ticket 93 € (Mon–Thu). #jajuliamusikaali @hktfi
Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone: (09) 394022, Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm. Box offices: Ensi linja 2, Mon–Fri 12 noon–5 pm; Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (on performance days) 11 am–6 pm and one hour before the performance; and lippu.fi, Mon–Sat 9 am–9 pm, Sun 10 am–6 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi
Press release image: Photography by Otto-Ville Väätäinen, image editing by Kim Sinisalo; pictured: Mikko Peltomäki, Renée Böök, Maria Lund and Tuukka Leppänen.
Further information, press ticket reservations and interview requests:
Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki