We Will Rock You

Galileo Figaro is a dreamer in a future world where live music is forbidden.  He is struggling to find his place in the masses of the Globalsoft Corporation.  He meets Scaramouche who, like him, refuses to conform.  He must follow his dream.  But trying to stop him is the Killer Queen.  Will he, together with the other bohemians fulfil their quest.  Only time, and music, will tell.

Based on the music of Queen, and written by Ben Elton, you don’t realise how much of the music you know and most of the audience was singing along to this wonderful production.  I certainly was.

Leading this very talented company were Dan Hardy as Galileo and Siobhon Louise Thornley as Scaramouche.  They worked so well together.  Fantastic singing and acting.  Very powerful.  Supporting them were Juliet Fisher as Oz and Dan McCloskey as Brit. Again, this pair worked so well together, and the audience were so sad to see the demise of Brit at the end of the first half.  Playing the Killer Queen and her sidekick Khashoggi were Chloe Mason and Kian Haden.   Playing these types of roles are never easy but together they succeeded.  The audience did not know to boo them or cheer.  I must also mention Mike Willis as Buddy.  A great role brought to life by this talented actor.  These seven actors sang well, so powerful.  The ensemble supported the principals well.  Taking the roles of The Bohemians and the Yuppies.  Together with the dancers you could see that the whole cast were enjoying themselves.  I attended the performance on the opening night.  If this show was anything to go by, they are going to have a fantastic week.

Costumes looked great from an audience point of view, and the scenery was just enough.  The cast made full use of the rostra on the stage.  I do have to mention the lighting design and the video wall from Going Dark.  This really made the production come to life.

The orchestra, who were at the back of the stage sounded good and were just at the right level.

The company ensured that the audience enjoyed themselves encouraging them to join in with lots of hand waving.

After the bows the audience all thought that it was the end, but we had one more song to come.  The whole company returned in stages to sing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ which brought the house down.

Congratulations to all involved.  A great evening’s entertainment.  Thank you for the invite.  Much appreciated and welcome back to NODA.

Paul Douglass, Regional Representative District 09.

 

Having not attended one of Manor Musical Theatre Company’s productions before, I was delighted to attend the opening night of We Will Rock You alongside Paul, the Regional Representative for the district. Having heard about the quality of the previous production, I arrived with high expectations — and I was not disappointed.

Paul had quite rightly spoken highly of the performance delivered by the seven principal cast members. The vocals were exceptional, as was the choreography throughout. The use of the video wall, together with the excellent sound from the orchestra, rounded off a superb opening night performance.I was especially pleased to go backstage following the performance to personally congratulate the cast and crew and to join them for a full company photograph.

Next up for Manor is Little Shop of Horrors, and I am confident this will be another outstanding production. I, for one, hope to be able to join you once again on Skid Row.

Andy Brown, Regional Councillor NODA West Midlands

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