We all know the classic Shakespearean balcony scene in which a lovestruck Juliet proclaims 'O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?'
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But what if things had turned out differently and the star-crossed heroine had decided there was life after the loss of her teenage Beau?
That is the premise of & Juliet, a musical theatre reimagining of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet which is now playing in Sydney.
Complete with a modern empowerment message, and featuring a score of pop bops by prolific hitmaker Max Martin, the acclaimed musical aims to offer something for everyone.
David West Read - who wrote the book for the musical - said when he was approached by his agent about pitching a musical, he started to deep dive into the songwriter's catalogue.
"He's written more number ones than anyone, and so many of the songs were about young love and heartbreak - that led me to the ultimate story of young love and heartbreak," he said.
"I thought it would be great to reinvent the original story and create something new, and that led me to the idea what if Juliet had lived?"
He said the idea struck him as a way to introduce Shakespeare to a whole new audience - hoping it would inspire lovers of the original text to take their grandkids along.
"I think Shakespeare, when I studied him in school, was considered very high brow, inaccessible university material, but in his time he was writing for the masses."
He also saw Martin's music - which includes hits by Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Bon Jovi, among others - as the perfect vehicle for the idea.
"A lot of people can't believe Shakespeare could have written so much great art, and a lot of people can't believe Max Martin could have written so much great pop music."
In addition to exploring Juliet's life after Romeo as a romantic comedy, the show also features a subplot between Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway, who influences his reimagining of the text.
Despite the very contemporary feel of the reimagined story, there is also plenty to appeal to lovers of the classic text, with the show featuring many jokes and allusions centred around the classic script.
Not that it is only references to the classics which will appeal to the older generation.
"We had one older woman come up to Max Martin after the show and say she couldn't believe he wrote all those songs."
David, who is currently in Australia, said he had been blown away by the Australian production and the talent of the cast, which includes Casey Donovan and Rob Mills.
& Juliet is now playing at the Lyric Theatre. For details click here.
