We Will Rock You

After last year’s production of “Shrek the Musical” the choice of “We Will Rock You” for the 2026 show may have seemed an odd choice for this society however they pulled it off magnificently under Barbara More’s excellent direction. Many of the principals and ensemble were of an age who had lived through the time when the band Queen were at the height of their fame and so I felt this brought a deeper understanding of the songs lyrics and dialogue. By using backing tracks instead of a small band the audience were treated to a fuller sound and the company were spot on with the timing in every song. Shaun Cowan and Caitlin MacLeod in the lead roles of Galileo and Scaramouche were outstanding. Their portrayal of a couple in a growing hate/love relationship was well portrayed and their powerful voices soared in the renditions of “I Want To Break Free” but were equally at home in the more reflective “Who Wants To Live For Ever”. Much of the comedy in the piece was brought about by the odd couple of Andy Hurst’s larger-than-life Brit(ney Spears) and Kerry Russell’s diminutive, Glaswegian sounding Oz(zzy Osbourne) - this latter reminding me of Lulu. Their rendition of “I Want It All” was excellent as was Oz’s rendition of “No One But You”. Steven Kelly made an impressive Buddy (Holly) leader of the rebel Bohemians in his hippy outfit and strong rendition of “These Are The Days Of Our Lives”. Now to the baddies of the piece. Sharon MacLeod made a truly imperial impression as Killer Queen in her glittering costumes and her soaring renditions of “Killer Queen” and “Don’t Stop Me Now” – I certainly wouldn’t want to get on her bad side! Someone who did - and ultimately paid the price - was Glen McGill’s Khashoggi who in his billowing black leather coat commanded the stage at his every entrance and full of his own importance – his eventual downfall. The ensemble of Bohemians/Yuppies/Dancers/Teen Queens all sang and moved well throughout but especially in the closing of Act One “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and in the Act Two closing “We Are The Champions” and in the bonus number a splendid rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Good use was made of the tiered set with the projections on the video wall representing the places where the action was taking place. Costuming was appropriate to each character and the rock and roll era. Well done everyone on a superb production. I was left wondering though if we were now seeing the members of E.R.M.T. in their true colours – rock stars to the core?

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