THE poster for the curiously-titled musical & Juliet features a set of golden earphones on top of a huge heart.

Forsooth . . . that striking image sums up this jukebox musical.

Shakespeare and pop meet in an all-singing, dance-packed celebration.

And in the process it's very funny.

A Bard Day's night at the theatre. See what I did there. This show is full of such cheeky punnery.

The male character does appear so no need to ask: 'wherefore art thou, Romeo?'

Production shot from '& Juliet'This is, however, Romeo and Juliet reimagined and gloriously rebooted.

The plot is simply this: Juliet doesn't die but awakes to go on a journey herself without her famous partner despite their innocent pact to leave this world as starry-eyed romantics.

It's a quirky subject matter once dealt with by the US band Sparks in a song called Up here in Heaven.

Now David West Read - the writer of TV series - Schitt's Creek turns the table his own witty way on Will Shakespeare's relationship with Anne Hathaway.

On this UK tour after Broadway and West End success, 2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle stars as Will and his feisty wife is played with real verve by the outstanding Lara Denning.

Production shot from '& Juliet'Production shot from '& Juliet' (Image: courtesy of Liverpool Empire) Both stars have great timing and top-notch voices.

We learn some of the household phrases that Shakespeare created and throughout two and half hours (including interval) the audience of all ages are treated to 30 pop songs from hit-maker extraordinaire Max Martin and his collaborative friends.

There's sparkling arrangements on Britney's One more time and Oops . . . I did it again and Kate Perry's anthemic Roar.

I would have liked a few more slower songs featured as the pace is very fast and pulsating from the bright and breezy start to the neon- flashing finale.

And, yes, we do get a balcony scene.

It's a visually powerful production with a lot of creative co-ordination going on from luxurious lighting to back-projections and clever costumes.

Production shot from '& Juliet'Production shot from '& Juliet' (Image: courtesy of Liverpool Empire)

Each of the cast shine and look as though they are having a ball.

They all took a standing ovation bow as well as did the versatile live band who came up on stage from the orchestra pit.

& Juliet has the feel good factor just like that other hit musical Six.

And it is also going to be around for a long time to come.

It is a raucous romantic comedy with a very big, thumping heart.

Stylish, slick and sizzling.

Verdict: Four stars

It is at The Empire until Saturday. Tickets from Atgtickets.com