We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You? Well, rocked we certainly were! This is a show I have seen several times in the West End so I was looking forward to this offering and it certainly did not disappoint! In terms of it being the Young@Part edition, the editing was extremely good so we didn’t feel we were missing anything from the main production at all. The same irreverence, the same “pro real music” feeling and the same amazing Queen songs!

I love that both Tom and Holly (director & choreography respectively) have Stoke Youth in their blood as that passion always translates! Tight direction and choreography were well in evidence in the performance and absolutely everyone looked like they were having a complete blast! Loved the opening part where two of the actors were used to do the “switch your phones” off announcement. The cast all looked like they had lived on the set forever and it was great to see the auditorium used throughout. There were a few one liners that could have been directed to be a bit more pronounced but still got a giggle. For example, the mispronunciation of “video tape” got slightly lost which was a shame as it was very funny and highly reminiscent of someone my age talking to “the kids” about the olden days! The vocals were overall of an extremely high standard though there were a few instances where notes weren’t quite where they should have been, particularly in parts with a lower register. But, if these guys are the future of musical theatre then I for one can’t wait!

The set was a dystopian delight with all sorts of random stuff piled at each side and a very effective stairs and platform arrangement on the stage. When the guitar was found towards the end, I had no idea whether it had been there from the beginning or not, such was the chaos! There were a few bits that were done at the far SR end (such as taking out the chips from their heads) which was an extremely tight sightline for those of us on the end of the row on the left of the theatre so we couldn’t quite see the full tableau. Props were minimal but effective and appropriate and I was left wondering how many of the cast were seeing a VHS video tape for the first time! Loved the simple but highly effective way of creating the motorbike (and was very pleased that Buddy has a good arm when throwing the handlebars into the junk at the side of the stage!)

The costumes were excellently done across the board giving the distinction between “them” and “us” superbly but simply. I loved the bohemian costumes particularly along with Killer Queen’s faux fur and sparkly eyelashes! Sound and lighting were perfect throughout, adding to the atmosphere flawlessly

Galileo, Scaramouche and Killer Queen (Anna Pye, Jess Wilbraham and Frankie Arthur): What a dream team! Anna didn’t put a foot wrong with a superb vocal and acting ability and Jess and Frankie also displayed fantastic singing talent along with some sensational attitude as befitted their characters! The future of musical theatre is bright with talent like this on the stage!

Khashoggi, Buddy, Oz and Brit (Megan Carnwell, Oliver Degg, Reeve Syverson and Zac Wardle): An awesome foursome! I loved Reeve and Zac’s execution of Brit and Oz as a double act and as the first time I ever saw this production, Nigel Planer was playing Buddy, Oliver’s performance was an excellent tribute! Megan’s portrayal of Khashoggi was fabulously dismissive to these “bohemians” she was tasked with rounding up. Great vocals all round, Reeve as Oz did an amazing job of leading us into “Only the Good Die Young” and I adore the fact it was made into an ensemble piece rather than the solo it is in the main production. Really brings home the unity and community of the bohemians.

The company were fantastic from start to finish especially as many were switching between different roles – I want to say everyone looked happier as a bohemian but we always root for the underdog, right?! The costume changes were great but it was the attitude changes that really brough the roles alive when players were switching from one to the other so well done!

This is probably quite a challenging one to take on with a youth cast given some of the themes but it was handled with a noticeable maturity whilst still maintaining the “don’t care” rock and roll attitude. I really enjoyed the night and very much look forward to the next offering.

 

 

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