THE smash-hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton, We Will Rock You, opened at Mayflower Theatre last night in a show full of instantly recognisable hits from one of the greatest bands of our time.
Set in a distant, dystopian future where Earth is called the iPlanet and its inhabitants wear the same clothes, think the same thoughts, and exist in a world where the system forbids rock music, composers and musical instruments.
We Will Rock You tells the story of Galileo, Scaramouche, Killer Queen and the Bohemians, and allows the audience to join them on their journey to discover the last musical instrument in the world, and restore free thought, fashion and live music.
The show first premiered in 2002, but Ben Elton manages to bring the production up-to-date for the post-pandemic times that we now live in, with a couple of Covid-19 jokes thrown in for good measure.
Damien Walsh, as Galileo, gives an exceptionally strong vocal performance, and his on stage chemistry with Elena Skye, who plays Scaramouche is a joy to watch.
Michael McKell’s portrayal of Cliff is perfect, along with his comedic timing and innuendos. Jennifer O’Leary (Killer Queen), has a voice as big as the character she plays, and Martina Ciabatti Mennell, who plays Meat, performs one of the stand-out moments in the show with her version of No One But You (Only the Good Die Young).
Of course We Will Rock You is comical – it’s written by Ben Elton, and superbly so may I add. And, the cast are not Queen, but then they’re not trying to be.
What they are is incredibly talented, along with the band and the ensemble, and they all fully deserved their standing ovation - this is an extremely enjoyable musical theatre show, full of some of the greatest Queen songs of all time.
Guaranteed to blow your mind!
We Will Rock You runs until 20 August 2022, tickets available from: mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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