We Will Rock You

What a fabulous show. From start to finish the youngsters’ enthusiasm and energy exuded. They loved being back on stage. Even more, this talented company presented the songs and portrayed the characters with a professionalism beyond their years. They conveyed the struggle of a group of rebel Bohemians trying to find freedom to compose music, to sing and to express themselves against an autocratic leader in a futuristic society and touched a chord with the audience as did the wonderful songs of the rock band Queen and Ben Elton. The likes of Someone to Love, Another One Bites The Dust, We Are The Champions and We Will Rock You all resonated with the audience.

The principals were all strong. Duncan Brown as lead Galileo gave a polished and confident performance as the chosen one to find the elusive star.  His partner and supporter Ella Jay gave an equally fine performance as Scaramouche. Their singing matched their characterisation and showed, in songs like I Want To Break Free and Who Wants To Live Forever, that they fully understood their roles. Adam Stewart as Brit and Karis Black as Oz also made their mark, in acting,with with fine singing  in I Want It All and Crazy Little Thing Called Love and in supporting all the big numbers. Striking a stark contrast, The Killer Queen played by Alexandra Hannah and Kashoggi by Oli Peattie-Hume conveyed the ruthless cruelty of power and in Kashoggi’s fate that no one is safe from the caprices of power. Killer Queen and Seven Seas of Rhye gave both the opportunity to show their mettle.  A little light humour from Lochlan Black as Buddy was welcome and effective. All supporting roles, the Bots, Teen Queens, Bohemians, Student and Teacher, Policemen and Doctors were ably filled.

In no way outdone, the chorus burst on stage, in striking white futuristic costumes, into a well choreographed Radio Ga Ga. They maintained momentum in all their numbers singing and moving as one. Most memorable for me was the scene where all had been zapped and the visual tableau of tangled bodies, arms and legs evoked tragic horrors of previous eras. From the youngest upwards, they gave their all. Likewise, the talents of The Dance Core and the Killer Queen Dancers were clearly displayed, their moves enhancing the storyline.

All was performed with a background of minimalist scenery and wonderful lighting, creating atmosphere but never overwhelming the action. I loved the car with the L plates and the discovery of the ‘star’ namely the guitar. And of course the music - the heart of the show, washing over the stage and billowing over the audience - gave the youngsters their platform. As the last notes of Bohemian Rhapsody faded away, it was clear the youngsters had us all rocking and rocked.

Understudies: Galileo – Carter Lumsden; Scaramouche- Jessica Riddoch; Brit- James Marshall; Oz- Lily McGuire; Buddy- Ella Hawthorne; Killer Queen-Lauren Gardner; Kashoggi- Findlay Currie

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