Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe Tackle Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Amidst Unconventional Rehearsals
The bright lights of London’s West End are set to welcome two of Hollywood’s rising stars, Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe, as they step into the iconic roles of star-crossed lovers in a new production of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Despite the looming opening night at the Harold Pinter Theatre on March 16th, the young actors have confessed to a surprisingly minimal rehearsal schedule, a stark contrast to the intense preparation typically associated with such a high-profile production.
Jupe, already familiar with the Bard’s work after his critically acclaimed performance in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, is continuing his exploration of Shakespearean characters. His role in Hamnet, which delved into the life of the renowned playwright, has provided him with a unique perspective on the enduring power of these classic narratives.
For Sink, this production marks a significant West End debut. The 23-year-old actress, who has captivated audiences worldwide as Max Mayfield in the immensely popular Netflix series Stranger Things, is trading the Upside Down for the streets of Verona. The fifth and final season of Stranger Things concluded in December, a milestone that Sink described as a complex mix of relief and joy. “It feels more like a relief that it’s complete and just such a joy to share it with people,” she told British Vogue. “Or maybe my brain’s so scattered that I can’t actually even think about the fact that it’s over.”
Now, Sink is preparing for a three-month immersion in the English capital, embracing the challenge of portraying Juliet Capulet. Jupe, aged 20, will be her co-star in this latest interpretation of Shakespeare’s enduringly popular tragedy.
The unconventional approach to their preparation is a talking point. Both actors have admitted that their working dynamic is still in its nascent stages, having only shared the rehearsal room for a handful of sessions. “We did a chemistry read together and that was, what, like an hour?” Sink revealed, highlighting the limited time they’ve had to develop their on-stage connection. “And then the second time we met.”
Jupe added a touch of humour to the situation, referencing the striking promotional posters that now adorn London’s tube stations. “We had to do a full-on photoshoot for it,” he commented, underscoring the visual commitment to the production even before substantial rehearsals had taken place.
Sink, stepping into the shoes of Juliet, a character traditionally depicted as a mere 13-year-old, views this as the most demanding role of her burgeoning career. The decision to take on the part was significantly influenced by an extensive four-hour meeting with the play’s director, Robert Icke. “It was as if a spark was lit,” Sink recalled, describing the immediate connection she felt with the project and the vision for the character. “You can only play her for so long.”
While this is new territory for Sink, Jupe is no stranger to the world of Shakespeare. His recent role in Hamnet, where he shared the screen with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, saw him portraying Hamlet himself. The film also featured his talented younger brother, Jacobi, as Shakespeare’s son. The narrative of Hamnet explores the profound grief Shakespeare experienced following his son’s tragic death, a loss that is widely believed to have inspired his greatest works.
“I was expecting Jacobi to do great, but when I saw the film I didn’t realise it would be that great and that pivotal,” Jupe shared, expressing his admiration for his brother’s performance and the film’s emotional impact. He even humorously confessed to seeking out audience members who didn’t shed a tear during the film, labelling them as “sociopaths.”
The success of Hamnet was further cemented when it received the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama in February. Jupe, however, was so unconvinced of the film’s chances that he had already ordered an Uber, ready to leave before the win was announced. “None of us were expecting to win,” he admitted. “And then we won and I was like, ‘Oh sht,’ and ‘they were like you need to go on stage’ and I was like, ‘Oh, sht!'”
The full feature interview with Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe, discussing their roles in Romeo and Juliet and their respective career paths, can be found in the March issue of British Vogue. The issue is available for digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday, February 24th.
