We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You is a musical, by Ben Elton, based around the songs of the rock band Queen.

The multi-storey scaffolding set was impressive; and so were the actors who scaled it with speed and grace. Lighting effects were attractive and coped brilliantly with the 60+ cast members.

Sound amplification was generally very good, except that the dramatic, opening speech was (for us) distorted beyond audibility.

But then, a HUGE chorus (Ga Ga Kids) spread over the stage, manoeuvering with precision and giving a beautiful rendition of Radio Ga Ga. They were efficiently lectured and marshalled off by their teacher…an excellent cameo by Freya Ketley.

Noncomformist Galileo “Gaz” dreamed of forbidden songs and refused to fall into line. Kit Kinsella was gloriously geeky, rattled his lines off enthusiastically, sang beautifully I Want To Break Free  and exhibited massive energy throughout. Scaramouche (Natasha Beer) was the perfect foil, companion and fellow dissident. She had a strong singing voice, showed great comic timing and her personality shone out. Their emotional duet, Who Wants To Live Forever, typified the professional way that so many of the songs were acted throughout this production.

Isaac Howatson and Elsie Smith displayed more than magnetism…they were electric as the doomed rebel lovers: Brit and Oz. I Want It All was a fabulous duet. Oz’s lovely number, No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young), seemed to foretell the death of her man.

The battle at The Heartbreak Hotel provided an exciting finish to ACT I.

Jamie Cordell’s band was positioned behind the scaffolding; and gave out superlative sounds, beautifully recreating the lush Queen melodies.

The costumes throughout the show were attractive and appropriate for all of the characters…principals and chorus groups. To create the quality, variety and sheer volume of outfits was truly remarkable. Props too were well made and wielded efficiently by the cast.

One Vision opened ACT II, with the vast array of Ga Ga Kids moving together with astonishing co-ordination. The glorious dances and movements of this large young cast are thanks to the work of talented choreographer Lindsay Swift.

Jacob Ogle’s Khashoggi was a smooth, smart and sinuous operator. He excelled as the Commander, resembling David Tennant as some maleficent inquisitor in the superb Seven Seas Of Rhye. His boss and nemesis, the vicious Killer Queen (Jess Lynch), was totally confident and authoritative in her role. In Scene 4, she exults over destroying the Bohemians; and then brainwipes her loyal lieutenant. Powerful singing and superb dancing by the Yuppies.

Scene 6, at the Heartbreak Hotel, opened with the most beautiful tableau. It was created from lighting effects and the attractive arrangement of cast members (Bohemians), that were wearing stunning costumes. RuPert Lawrence played Buddy, the gentle leader of the Bohemians. They gave a fine These Are The Days Of Our Lives, whilst trying to hold the group together.

The finale was dazzling. We Will Rock You whipped up the audience, who then sang their hearts out to We Are The Champions and ecstatically enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody. The cast received their well-earned applause, as the band (and, particularly, the guitarists) thrilled everyone with their playing.

Director, Fi Kuhn-Thompson, and her assistant, Amber Elbishlawi, have created a magnificent production…with the assistance of a large, committed and talented crew; and a cast of gifted and enthusiastic actors, dancers and singers.

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