Reviews of Romeo and Juliet call Keith Connor a “knockout.”

HeartstopperKeith Connor hailed as ‘outstanding’ artist in first reviews of Sam Gold’s new song Romeo and Juliet a Broadway adaptation.

After six months (sometimes shirtless) to teasethe latest incarnation of Shakespeare’s great work came to the stage of the Broadway circuit at the Square Theater.

Heartstopper favorite Keith Connor and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesRachel Zegler stars as the doomed titular lovers in the new Gen-Z-esque adaptation, complete with pop music courtesy of Taylor Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff.

Although the production as a whole seems to have divided critics, some believe that this is almost the case also is a lot of fun given the story’s infamous ending, and others think it’s too much for the TikTok crowd – Connor’s performance gets universal acclaim.

Well, almost.

Writing in Telegraphcritic Diane Snyder suggested that Connor’s performance – despite being his Broadway debut – indicated that he could have a “stunning stage career” ahead of him.

“The highlight of this vibrant, abbreviated, full-scale production, playing in an intimate Broadway setting, is the incredible performance of rising British star Keith Connor,” Snyder writes, adding that he is a “knockout.”

“In his 20s, the young actor … captures the beauty of the language and embodies all the enthusiasm of teenage love, captivating a young, mostly female audience, and even some of us older ones.”

One such moment, which is already “exciting” the audience, is the scene in which Connor kisses his co-star Zegler. The actress lies in a bed raised above the stage as Connor rises into the air to kiss her.

According to reviewer David Rooney, writing in The Hollywood Reporterthis scene elicits a “squeal” from the mostly queer audience.

Complimenting Connor, Rooney declared the actor “outstanding” in the series as he “imbues Romeo with such innocence, spontaneity, romantic ecstasy and heart-wrenching grief that it breaks your heart”.

Writing in The Guardiancritic Adrian Horton praised Connor in an average review, writing that his take on Romeo focused on “amiable youth, more soft-hearted, hot brawn than undeveloped brain”.

“He’s the only actor who has shown a natural understanding of Shakespeare’s tricky rhythm,” Horton writes, adding that she “relaxed noticeably every time he began to speak, the better the dialogue came out of his mouth: deliberate, rich, never blunt.”

The New York Times Writer Jesse Green lends similar support to the young star, writing that Connor “needs no help keeping his emotional temperature up and running, easily increasing the tenderness and oblivion of his Nick on Heartstopper match the scene.”

Although most critics rave about Connor’s portrayal of Romeo, it’s impossible to impress everyone.

In another cool review Variety critic Trish Deitch criticized the show for its “lack of heart” and criticized Connor for bringing the same energy as Nick to Heartstopper to his role as Romeo.

According to Deitch, “he’s a dumb puppy.”

“However, when the h** doesn’t impress the fan — when his best friend Mercutio (Gabby Beanes) is killed by Juliet’s cousin Tybalt (Tommy Dorfman) — Connor doesn’t feel the pain of loss, but stands by dumbfounded. on stage,” the review says.

“When he kills Tybalt in revenge, the moment is devoid of real feeling. In the moments after that – when he is banished and therefore has to leave his love; when he learns that Juliet is dead; etc. – there is no spiritual gap at all. There’s not a wet eye in the house.”

Romeo and Juliet plays on Circle in the Square Theater in New York until February 16, 2025.

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