We Will Rock You

How Castle Newham School’s theatre group, 4SIXTEEN have certainly moved on a pace since I first visited three years ago. Now in a new drama studio bristling with all the latest technology, this is a group with a strong drama section, full of purpose and a plan to perform at the highest possible level. This was my first visit to this studio, although my better half had kindly reviewed their last production back in the summer and was highly impressed then.

We Will Rock You is of course the futurist musical using the music of Queen with librato by Ben Elton, set in a utopian world where musical instruments are banned and everybody is encouraged to think the same controlled thoughts. Galileo and Scaramouche aided by a group of rebels, The Bohemians set out to overcome The Killer Queen and find their own Rhapsody.

Played to a simple bare studio stage on three sides with a back wall of stairs and black flats which were used to very effectively (and comically) project various notices and videos. The atmosphere was mostly dependant on the use of lighting and smoke effects. Mr Luke Skeel and his backstage crew are to be congratulated on their very slick professional operation indeed. For an opening night it was more than impressive and looked like the show had been running for a week already.

Makeup and hair designed by Katie Mead and Neve Taylor was particularly impressive, with all the female chorus having the same eye makeup and some the hairstyles were particularly stunning especially for Kashoggi (very futuristic) and Pop (spot on hippy)!

Choreography was the hallmark of this show and Mr Luke Steel had certainly come up with some classy, well drilled routines. Lucy Bichener and Javai James were the real stars in the choreography amply demonstrating with some brilliant featured ideas of their own. Excellent job!

The leads in this show were all confident actors, could certainly hold a tune and each brought something extra to the table.

Alistair Porteous as Galileo has film star looks with a quiet confidence which perfectly pitched his character’s frustration whilst trying to work out from where exactly all the lyrics in his head were coming. Excellent rendition of ‘Want to Break Free’ and in leading ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ itself. Well measured performance sir.

Ellie Johnson as Scaramouche was a strong character not to be trifled with and her use of sarcasm was a comedy joy. She certainly owned ‘Find Me Somebody to Love.’ Loved it!

Catherine Patterson as Killer Queen has a beautiful voice and had great presence in the role, well in control of the subservient masses. A lady with a great future in musical theatre if she so choses.

Lia Borromeo as Kashoggi was a joy in this part, being the hardnose assassin of the Killer Queen’s order’s and then cut down to size and seeing her own vulnerability as the Queen continually turned on her. Good version of ‘Seven Seas of Rye.’ Loved the sunglasses and the hair!

Ella Wood as Meat the leader of the Bohemians is another one with a great voice with a sublime rendition of ‘No One But You’ as was Lara Throssell-Hunt as Brit the main rebel with an excellent ‘I Want It All!’

My standout performance has to go to Esme Hill as the hippy, Pop who is surely destined for the stage in some form or another. Her acting skills were sublime as was her line delivery and timing, She seems on this performance to be a natural comedy actor. A born entertainer?

Well done also to the enormous supporting cast of Bohemians, dancers and general ensemble, which numbers at nearly 40 people, too many to name them all but who knew their positions on the crowded stage, sung with enthusiasm and confidence, were all in time in the complicated choreography and left the stage in but a moment. Neat work guys!

So, I think I can say that 4SIXTEEN are nicely settling into their new home and there is a very promising future for drama at Castle Newnham School. Congratulations to Director Mr Luke Skeel, Musical Director Ms Sheridan Carlile and their assistants Miss Bethan Lee, Miss Rachel Kirk and Miss Lauren Easton – a show of which to be proud.  We look forward to the next one.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.