Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe Confess to Limited Rehearsals Ahead of West End Romeo and Juliet Debut
In a surprising revelation, actors Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe have disclosed that they have undertaken only minimal rehearsals together before stepping into the iconic roles of star-crossed lovers in a new West End production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The highly anticipated staging is scheduled to commence at London's prestigious Harold Pinter Theatre on March 16, with the run extending for a full three months.
From Stranger Things to Shakespeare: Sink's West End Debut
Sadie Sink, aged 23, is preparing for her inaugural West End performance following the conclusion of her tenure on the globally renowned Netflix series Stranger Things. The show catapulted her to international fame, with her portrayal of the skateboarding tomboy Max Mayfield becoming a fan favourite. The fifth and final season of the series aired in December to a mixed critical reception, marking the end of an era for Sink.
'It feels more like a relief that it’s complete and just such a joy to share it with people,' Sink confided to British Vogue. 'Or maybe my brain’s so scattered that I can’t actually even think about the fact that it’s over.' She is now relocating to London for the duration of the theatrical run, embracing the formidable challenge of embodying Juliet Capulet, a thirteen-year-old character in Shakespeare's original text.
Jupe's Continued Shakespearean Journey
Noah Jupe, aged 20, is continuing his engagement with Shakespearean material after recently appearing in director Chloé Zhao's critically acclaimed film Hamnet. In that production, Jupe portrayed an actor performing Hamlet, a role inspired by the tragic death of Shakespeare's young son. The film also featured Jupe's younger brother, Jacobi, in a pivotal role as the titular character.
'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 remarked. 'I’m kind of looking for the people that didn’t cry [at Hamnet] and I’m like, "You're a sociopath."' Hamnet achieved significant acclaim, securing the award for Best Motion Picture for Drama at the Golden Globes in February, though Jupe admitted he was so convinced of its loss that he had ordered an Uber before realising the victory.
A Chemistry Read and a Photoshoot: The Extent of Their Preparations
Despite the impending opening night, Sink and Jupe confess that their collaborative rehearsals have been exceedingly sparse. 'We did a chemistry read together and that was, what, like an hour?' Sink revealed. 'And then the second time we met.' Jupe added that their second encounter involved a comprehensive photoshoot for the promotional posters currently displayed across London's tube stations.
The actors acknowledge that they have yet to establish a fully developed working dynamic, placing considerable trust in the directorial vision of Robert Icke. Sink described a transformative four-hour meeting with Icke as the catalyst for accepting the role. 'It was as if a spark was lit,' she recalled. 'You can only play her for so long.' This production represents unfamiliar territory for Sink, while Jupe gains his second experience with Shakespearean performance.
The full feature interview with Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe is available in the March issue of British Vogue, accessible via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday, February 24.
