We Will Rock You(young@part)

WE WILL ROCK YOU (young@part) a musical performed by SONG at The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport on Saturday, 30th July, 2022.

We Will Rock You (young@part) the youth cast version of the musical written by Ben Elton with music and lyrics by Queen. Set in the future (2322), in a vaguely Orwellian World, where live music has died and instruments banned. On the ‘iPlanet’, mainstream commercial conformity reigns… the ‘Ga Ga Kids’ watch the same movies, listen to the same computer-generated music, wear the same clothes and hold the same thoughts and opinions. ‘Galileo Figaro’ and ‘Scaramouche’, our two lead characters, go on a quest alongside a group of rebels called ‘The Bohemians’ in an attempt to overthrow ‘The Globalsoft Corporation’ run by ‘The Killer Queen’ and help establish a new World where rock music can thrive again! 

This was SONG’s fourth musical in twelve months… ‘Footloose’ in August 2021; ‘Elf’ in November 2021; ‘Shrek’ in April 2022 and now ‘We Will Rock You’ in July 2022… when you think of the time, energy, effort and commitment required to produce and stage just one musical, let alone four… then you just know this has been a phenomenal effort by many!  So, congratulations, to not only those committed young actors from SONG, but to dedicated Committee and members who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes… people like Hilary Thompson (Chair), Linda Davies (Secretary), Bev Newton (Treasurer), Guy Wigmore (Safeguarding) and for this show, the ‘Production Team’ of Kimberley Helm (Director – directing her first show with SONG), Victoria Harrocks (Choreographer) and John Coates (Vocal Coach). I know there are others working behind the scenes, all of whom should be congratulated on their continued efforts in providing opportunities for these young people, not only to perform on stage, but to develop life skills and confidence to further their lives and careers whenever and wherever that may take them.  Well done to each and every one of you… take that well-earned rest now… you’ve more than earned it!

As most will know, this is where I usually stick the ‘old neck out’ and start suggesting MY favourites! But there are times when you just have to say ‘WELL DONE TO EVERYONE’ and this was, without doubt, one of those times! This wasn’t about an individual, this was about a ‘bunch of friends’, coming together on stage and having the time of their young lives… so, I’m of the opinion that everyone should have their ‘name in lights’… THE CAST…  Harry Corcoran took on role of ‘Galileo Balileo’; Millie McKeown played ‘Scaramouche’; Zara Newton played ‘The Killer Queen’; Orlando Campolucci-Bordi played ‘Khashoggi’;  Poppy Coyle played ‘Buddy’; Sophie Freeman-Eaton played ‘OZ’; Lucas Goodman played ‘Brit’; Jess Thorpe took two roles ‘Ga Ga Teacher/Quatro’; Holly Partington two roles ‘Teen Queen/ 1/SIXX’; Eleanor Clarke two roles ‘Teen Queen/ 2/ELVIS’; Fleur Wigmore two roles ‘Teen Queen/ 3/GRANDE’; Evan Thorpe two roles ‘Teen Queen/ 4/MICHAEL’;  Grace Curry two roles ‘Globalsoft Manager/ BRUCE’; Evie Anne Allen played ‘ARETHA’; Elesha Nolan played ‘MADONNA’; Serafina Campolucci-Bordi played ‘John’, Gabriella Agrimi played ‘Paul’, Isabelle Culshaw played ‘George’, Sienna Agrimi played ‘Ringo’, Megan Conway played ‘Jagger’ and Megan Lawson played ‘Puff’.  The GAGA KIDS/YUPPIES/SECRET POLICE/DOCTORS were played by Emily Hughes, Jack Smith, Michael Stopyra, Lola Birtles, Ewan Harris, Milly Johnson, Kate Hitchmough, and Madison Lloyd.  Well done, be proud of what you ALL helped achieve!

But I do think it would be remiss of me not to stick my neck out a little and highlight three of MY favourites…
Favourite Character… the most difficult of choices, with so many unbelievable performances to consider… but I’ve plumped for Poppy Coyle’s portrayal of ‘Buddy’, the Scouse Hippie Librarian, the rebel, the ‘Bohemian’. If I’m honest, I didn’t get much chance to look at the programme pre show, so I wasn’t really aware of who was playing this or any other role. I recognised many, but it wasn’t until the interval that I realised that it was Poppy behind the wild hair and glasses!  Not the biggest of parts, but Poppy should be applauded for the ease in which she made this semi comedic role her own!  Wonderful characterisation, great mannerisms, great accent, which was there throughout, and I just loved the delivery and references she made to ‘Vi-deo-tarp’, ‘Teel-eevysee-own’ and Vi-de-o… be ever so proud Poppy, awesome job!

Favourite Scene…. THE HARD ROCK CAFÉ was an ‘OMG’ moment for me!  So much going on, yet perfectly staged!  We had great acting, great songs, (‘No One But You’ - ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’); wonderful movement!  We had ‘Brit’ and ‘Buddy’ (Lucas Goodman and Poppy Coyle) and the monologue about ‘what was going on’ and ‘what had gone on before’ and the references to ‘Vi-deo-tarp’ ‘Vi-de-o etc mentioned previously. ‘Projected images’, that not only accompanied but enhanced the entire scene and the song ‘No One But You’ with its lyrics that summed everything up… ’Only the Good Die Young’… just ‘loved it’!    

Favourite Song… again a difficult one… I have always loved ‘Queens music’, so to select a favourite song from the show… I needed first to shut out the original versions and think about the show… so my favourite song was ‘Somebody to Love’ sung by ‘Scaramouche’ (Millie McKeown) and the Teen Queens (Evan Thorpe Holly Partington, Eleanor Clarke and Fleur Wigmore). Great rendition, be proud, very proud!

Staging/Tech… minimal staging was used throughout, with a ‘video screen’ - rear centre.  The screen and the imagery shown enhanced the production so much.  So, congrats to Andrea Shacksmith-Claire (Stage Manager / Staging / Lighting Design) and John Coates (Staging) good job guys.

Sound/Lighting/Projection Matt Hughes (Sound Design), did a good job overall!  We did have a few issues with the backing tracks slightly overpowering the singers... but this didn’t affect the overall production to much. ‘Lighting Design’… under the control of Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire and as always, here at The Atkinson this was excellent.  I’m told that John Coates created the Projected Image Package The imagery and presentation were amazing and as previously stated, enhanced the production so much… every credit John.

Wardrobe under the watchful eyes of Karen Fairclough (Wardrobe Mistress) and Poppy Coyle (Assistant) … all the costumes were apt and appropriate and looked amazing! 

Safeguarding… Youth Productions cannot proceed without ‘safeguarding procedures’ being in place and without people like Guy Wigmore (Safeguarding Officer) and his team of Licenced Chaperones … so congrats to Guy, Heather Culshaw, Lynne Wigmore, Salena Birtles, Linda Davies and Bev Newton for these young people these opportunities!

Production Team…  Kim Helm (Director), Vicci Harrocks (Choreographer) and John Coates (Vocal Coach) should also be congratulated on their efforts with this show. ‘ONE VISION’ is mentioned in the programme notes (the title of a Queen song) but a fitting statement for the outcome of what we saw during the evening. There is little or no doubt that these three talented people worked ever so well together and that ‘One Vision’ approach certainly shone through and paid off!  So, congrats to Kim on her first show as Director with SONG, to Vicci whose choreography was cleverly devised and played to the strengths of all the dancers’ and to John for not only his ‘inventive imagery’, but on his ability to get the best from this young society vocally.

A ’standing ovation’ greeted the final song of the evening…WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS…a song sung with the entire theatre on their feet!  I then had the pleasure, to meet and speak with these talented young people after the show which is always a privilege.  I understand that we lose a few of the cast for various reasons… Jess Thorpe leaves for Lancaster Uni, Millie McKeown is off the ICL in Manchester and Poppy Coyle leaves SONG as a result of her age… on behalf of both myself and NODA, I can say ‘thank you ladies’ for the outstanding contributions you’ve made over the years with the SONG FAMILY… you will be missed, but our loss, SONGS loss will be someone else’s gain! 

Thank you so much for once again inviting my wife and I, sorry we couldn’t make opening night, but we thoroughly enjoyed the show. Thanks to Linda Davies for looking after us throughout the evening!  Cannot wait to see you all again soon!

Stay safe, keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.