Twenty years ago, long before he explored the birth of American hiphop in Netflix's The Get Down, Baz Luhrmann achieved two not-too-insignificant things with his film adaptation of Romeo + Juliet. Not only did the Aussie director's vibrant take on the tragic classic completely change the way everyone thinks about Shakespeare — it also delivered one of the killer soundtracks of the '90s, and one that many a movie has tried and failed to top since.
The track list speaks for itself really, featuring everything Garbage's '#1 Crush' to The Cardigans' 'Lovefool' to Radiohead's 'Talk Show Host'. Everclear, Butthole Surfers, that one good Des'ree song and Quindon Tarver's 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)' also pop up, with Luhrmann turning the greatest love story ever told into the greatest soundtrack ever sold. If you were around and of a certain age back in '96, you definitely owned a copy. You probably still do.
Now, you can definitely relive those memories — and celebrate a swoon-worthy collection of tunes — at Romeo & Juliet (Vol 1): The 20th Anniversary as part of Melbourne Fringe. Tom Dickins and a yet-to-be-revealed, star-studded lineup of musicians and performers will bring the soundtrack to end all soundtracks to life at a 20th anniversary party. The event only happens twice, on September 23 and 24, so we'd recommend getting your tickets quick. If this shindig proves even a fraction as popular as its inspiration, it'll be sold out before you can utter "wherefore art thou Romeo?".