Review - We Will Rock You
Date Reviewed: 26th March, 2009
Venue: The Palace Theatre
It’s 300 years in the future. Earth is known as Planet Mall and is rigidly controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation. Musical instruments are forbidden and rock music is the stuff of myth and legend. A prophecy is known that says musical instruments still exist and that a bright star will show the way to them. There is widespread conformity amongst the people of Planet Mall reigns and those who try to break free are tortured and brain drained. However, in hiding there is a group of bohemian rebels who await the arrival of the dreamer, the one who can fulfill the prophecy and bring back rock music and freedom.
This is the pretty daft premise of We Will Rock You. Sure, it’s a rather bizarre story and not terribly well written by Ben Elton who also directs this production, although in fairness the book is littered with some hilarious one liners which are delivered expertly by a mostly brilliant cast and overall, despite being yet another jukebox musical, We Will Rock You is a hugely satisfying experience.
Unsurprisingly, the music is fantastic and essentially the show is tribute to the genius of Queen. All the famous songs have been woven, sometimes tenuously, into the plot and are performed with gusto by the young, vibrant cast and the excellent 8 piece band under the direction of David Beer who deservedly take their own curtain call at the finale.
Kevin Kennedy and Jonathan Wilkes top the bill in this touring production of the show but both actually only have supporting roles. Kennedy plays Pop, an ageing librarian trying to figure out exactly when the music died but after a brief appearance in act 1 he doesn’t appear again until well into act 2 and isn’t given a great deal to do which is no bad thing as he isn’t particularly impressive and makes little impact. However, Wilkes is something of a revelation. Having endured some appalling performances from him in the past (Tommy and The Wedding Singer, to name but a few) I was pleasantly surprised by his sly and smug Khashoggi, the chief of police.
Brenda Edwards, who found fame in the 2005 series of the X-Factor is ideally cast as the Killer Queen, evil ruler of Planet Mall. Not only does she boast a stunning set of vocal chords but she is also a very competent comedic actress and relishes every moment she is on stage. Georgina Hagen and Wayne A Robinson are excellent but underused as bohemians Meat and Brit and Sarah French-Ellis plays Scaramouche, the leading lady, with a wickedly dry delivery and shares genuine chemistry with Alex Gaumond who steals the show as the dreamer Galileo.
The ensemble dancing is some of the slickest I have seen in a long time and Arlene Phillips choreography is clever and original. However, diction amongst the ensemble is very poor. Whether this is due to the over amplification of the show or other factors I am not quite sure, but it’s a shame that a lot of Queen’s smart lyrics are rendered incomprehensible.
Production designer Mark Fisher clearly has imagination and this is reflected in his futuristic and technologically complex set which makes excellent use of video and large scale set pieces which are lit brilliantly by Willie Williams. Costume designer Tim Goodchild also makes his mark with some truly outrageous but detailed creations.
We Will Rock You is not a perfect show and some elements, such as the story and script, leave a lot to be desired but it’s a real crowd pleaser and enormous fun. The audience on the night I attended appreciated it and went wild at the finale, spurred on I’m sure by the unannounced appearance of legends Brian May and Roger Taylor complete with instruments! I’m sure they won’t be appearing at every performance on the tour but with or without this added treat, We Will rocks!
-Malcolm Wallace
March 30th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Having won tickects from your competition here on whatsonstage.com (many thanks). We enjoyed the performance it was fantastic, we had great fun, this is a must see show for many Queen fans.
The cast were exceptional and we were amused all the way through.
Kay
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Went to see this on 1st April all fools day, must say it is the worst show i have ever seen aschool play with brilliant music played too loud and singers who were total rubbish.
sorry i went
April 5th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
A birthday gift for my husbands 69th .We went to the matinee performance 04/04/09 a keen Queen fan thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Saw this on April 4th.
The show was one of the most entertaining I have seen and the music superb in both choice and Quality. The performance reminds one of just how good Queen were without trying to do a “tribute band” rendition of some of their best known songs.The humour,music and cast were all superb. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:35 am
The girlfriend wanted to see it (recommended by a friend) but I’m not a fan of musicals. I’m a fan of Queen’s so eventually off we went (06/04/09). Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well put together. Good plot. Great cast. Plenty of laughs (particularly enjoyed Kevin Kennedy’s(Pop) dig at Big Brother). And the music’s brilliant. I’d give it 10 out of 10, but that’s me.
April 9th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Saw the matinee 8th April, with 2 teenage children and parents,all 3 generations thought the show was fantastic. Never had the chance to see the show in London, so glad we didn’t miss this. All the cast and ensemble had fantastic powerful voices and did the songs justice, loads of energy and some great lines.
10/10. Pure entertainment.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Saw this show on Tuesday 28th April….and so glad I did. Great performances from all, particularly, Alex Gaumond [Galileo] and Sarah French-Ellis [Scaramouche, or was it Scary Box?]. What a tremendous future this girl has!
The dancers put their hearts and souls into it as did the band. Well done all.
I had a great evenings entertainment. Well done Ben Elton.
April 19th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Went to the matinee show on saturday 18th April, it was absolutley brilliant. Great performances by everyone especially the two leading stars.
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 20th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Went with my wife, brother in law and sister in law on Sat 18 matinee, myself being a big Queen and Freddie fan, we all thought the show was fantastic, very well produced and performed, it was nice to see young people enjoying themselfs on stage, Amazing 10/10
May 1st, 2009 at 10:16 am
Went to see show last night with friends from work ..we had a fantastic time the show is amazing!!!!!!! ..the music and all the cast were outstanding ..some brilliant singers and dancers ..all the audience were on their feet rocking by the end of the show .. Roger Taylor watched the first half from a box on the first tier ….fantasitc show well done Ben Elton .
May 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
This was the most AMAZING show I’ve EVER seen (and I’ve seen a few!) The lead actress and actor were phenomenal! The whole cast was so talented and the show had so much energy! It is quite random….but funny and well written and acted! I’ve just booked to see it again!!!
May 8th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Saw this as a treat for my sister’s birthday last night….scaramouche has an amazing vocal talent, and for me outshone the rest. Pleasant if a little silly at times storyline, but the legend that is queen more than carries the show.
The appearance of roger taylor on guitar at the end of the show made the night! Fantastic and highly recommended. Laugh out loud one liners!!
May 10th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Went to see this 9 May with my husband and two daughters. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Very slick, especially impressed by Brenda as Killer Queen proving that there is life after the X Factor. Well written, acted and sung. Shame about the leg room but you cannot have everything.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:54 am
brilliant energetic show brilliant cast + support especally Georgina Hagen
sarah frances eliis , Jonathon wilkes + the Galilao understudy
May 30th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Saw this on 28th May and it was amazing!
Scaramoush was the best.. Also really liked the main guy (can’t remember his name)…
Went with my partner (he is 25 and a big sports/ non cheesy music fan) and he LOVED it too!!
10/10 ..
June 6th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Just under 3 hours of pure entertainment. As soon as we left the theatre we spoke about how we’d go back in to watch it all again if we could!!
Easily 10/10
June 7th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Wonderful Wonderful Wondeful, saw mat performance on 6th June with my 3 daughters. All of us had the best 3 hours, Scaramouche and Galileo brilliant. Go and see it if you can defo 10 / 10
June 16th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Saw this show on the 16/6/09 as a Birthdat present for me.
Brilliant, Scarey bush was fantastic as was Galileo shakoogi and killer queen. I have never laughed so much at a musical. As a Queen fan i knew the music would be up tp scratch but the silly plot and one liners had me and my wife in stitches. Im saving some cash for the next time it comes round. If you dont enjoy this you have had your funny bone removed. 11/10
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
My daughter bought me and my husband tickets to see the show in Birmingham for our birthdays. We could not have asked for better birthday gifts ever!!!! We went on Saturday night 3.8.09 and what a night we had. The whole performance was electrifying, full of energy and laughter. I did not want the evenign to end - PLEASE go and see it. If you love Queen’s music you will so enjoy this performance. I must admit I’m not a lover of Ben Elton, but I have to eat my hat in saying “Well Done Ben”. 20/10
December 27th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I went on the 31st of November at the Edinburgh Playhouse. I have to say that the entire cast was amazing. They were;-
Galilieo - Alex Gaumond
Scaramouche- Amy Hathaway
Meat- Rachel John
Britney- Wayne Robinson
Killer Queen- Brenda Edwards
Kashoggi- Darren Day
Amy Hathaway in my opinion was definetly the best singer of the show. She is an understudy but she should definetly be the lead. Her voice is too good for the ensemble. Her sarcasma and comic timing was brilliant too.
amazing show.
10/10
*****