We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical featuring the music of the band Queen.  It is set in the distant future where music has been standardised and rock music has been forgotten.  This was the latest offering from Curtain Up Youth Theatre at an almost sold out Maesteg Town Hall. 

The society opted to use high-definition projections in lieu of formal scenery.  This seems to be becoming more and more popular throughout the theatre community.  These projections were excellent and even had videos of the cast members as their character at times.  Really well designed and very impressive.

Lighting was very effective and appropriate for the production.  It really enhanced the show.

It was lovely to have a live band who were clearly enjoying playing all of the well-known musical numbers.  The sound balance between them and the cast was great.

The ensemble cast were simply brilliant.  They all moved and reacted well and their singing was top notch.  Well done everyone!

Jonah Kelly-Fisher was great as Khashoggi.  He sang well and had a good character as the henchman to the equally excellent Ezme Davies as Killer Queen.  Ezme’s vocals were excellent in her musical numbers and I really liked the character she had created.

Noah Griffiths was very funny as Buddy.  He had clearly worked hard on his character and thought about his delivery.  The audience loved him too!

The society chose to double-cast a few of the principal roles.

Holly Lewis and Iona Davies shared the role of Oz.  They both had good characters and excellent storytelling within their vocals in the musical numbers.  Two quite different portrayals of the same character but both very good!

The role of Brit was played by Lewis Worgan-Hill and Cameron Gilliam.  They both had great energy and sang well in the musical numbers.  Well played both.

The show is highly dependent on the quality of the actors playing Scaramouche and Galileo and in this case, they well and truly delivered!  Evie Boydell and Sophie Thomas played Scaramouche.  They had great character and excellent vocals in the musical numbers and they both moved well.

I’ve left Galileo until last where others might have put him first.  The reason for this is very simple.  Scott Holmes at just 16, delivered the most fantastic of performances; one that was worthy of a professional stage.  His character was great.  His vocals, were at times, astonishing and consistently excellent from the opening note until the last one.  I almost forgot I was watching an amateur performance.  I’m very pleased I was able to see it live.

In summary, this was a very slick and well-drilled production from the excellent team at Curtain Up.  A youth production of the highest quality that wouldn’t have been out of place at any professional venue.  Thank you for the entertainment and for the usual warm welcome.  I look forward to seeing you all soon.

 

The views in this report are solely of the author.

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