Creating a new fate for Shakespeare’s iconic character

Singer-songwriter Lee Lachford-Evans plays exhuberant, larger-than-life Lance when & Juliet visits Newcastle Theatre Royal (Mon 2 – Sat 7 Jun 2025). We caught up with him to hear how he’s settling into the role.

For people who think they know Romeo and Juliet, how does the show shake things up?

It’s not the Romeo and Juliet that everyone knows, it’s a comedy and a musical. It’s more about life for Juliet after the familiar story, with Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway arguing over how the tale is meant to play out. It’s about how her life goes on without Romeo, who and what she encounters, and all the characters within that.

Who is Lance and how does he feature in the narrative?

Lance Dubois is a father. He has lost his wife, but he has three sons, although two of them are away at war so he’s really concentrating on Francois, the one son who hasn’t gone off to be a soldier. I think it’s a battle for Lance as he is a very set-in-his-ways, old-fashioned type of father who is trying to get to grips with raising a son on his own. He’s that burly kind of character who goes: “I was a soldier, I was in the police and you will do as I say.” As the story unfolds, he becomes less complicated and more loving, plus he has a love interest in Angelique, who is Juliet’s Nurse. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster for Lance and a nice thread throughout the show.

Are you a Shakespeare buff or a novice?

I’m a total novice; I’m not even going to pretend otherwise! But & Juliet isn’t typical Shakespeare by any means. It’s modern-language and it’s a jukebox musical full of fantastic Max Martin songs. So, you get Domino by Jessie J, … Baby One More Time by Britney Spears, It’s My Life by Bon Jovi, songs by Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake. He’s worked on so many amazing songs. The musical is also what I’d call very Steps-friendly. We always say with Steps shows that you leave your troubles at the door, you just let yourself go and have a great time. It’s the same with & Juliet.

What makes Max Martin’s music so special? And do you have a favourite number in the show?

Every song of his you just have to sing along to and there are so many hits in the show. It’s so clever how they are worked into the story. For example, one of the big numbers for me is the mash-up of Teenage Dream and Break Free, where Lance and Angelique have this moment together that’s romantic but also very funny and those songs tell their story in this moment so well. All the songs in the show are very catchy.

How does the story speak to contemporary audiences?

It’s a show where everybody’s welcome and it touches on inclusivity, diversity and themes that are relevant in the world right now. The LGBTQ community is obviously huge with Steps and it feels like this show speaks to the same audience. If you just let yourself go and leave your worries at the door everybody’s welcome at a Steps show and everybody’s welcome at & Juliet.

You came to fame in Steps, but was theatre always part of the plan?

Well, I trained at Laine Theatre Arts, where I studied musical theatre and dance, then Steps came along during my third year there. Because I’ve had that background, that training, I’ve got the work ethic for and an understanding of musical theatre. The success of Steps has opened doors and it’s given me opportunities to at least audition for certain parts. It’s only when you get the part that you understand how hard the work is and what goes into a musical and if you’re part of a wonderful, hard-working cast that all gel, you can really make the show come to life.

What have been your favourite stage roles so far?

I enjoyed playing Teen Angel in Grease on the West End, Christian in Wolfboy was interesting delving into a darker side of Musical Theatre. Now Lance in & Juliet ticks a few boxes. There is a serious side to him when he’s being very militant and straight with his son, but there’s also the caring fun cheeky side to him that when his guard comes down with Angelique.

When it comes to your career in Steps, can you pick a few highlights?

That’s a difficult one because there are so many – We had many number ones, so many hits, travelling, touring and meeting fans all over the world. I think winning a Brit Award is something to be proud of, as is getting the Attitude Icon Award. In the early days it was Smash Hits tours and things like that, where you were on the line-up with lots of other bands. Then when you get to do your own arena tours that really steps things up, pardon the pun! People are there just for you and that can be as nervous as it is exciting. Then of course there’s the Steps musical Here and Now, which enjoyed huge success on it’s opening run in Birmingham last year, and will be visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal in late 2025.

& Juliet plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Mon 2 – Sat 7 Jun 2025.

Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.