Image credit: We Will Rock You/Jeff Busby
Brought to you by Nuffnang and We Will Rock You.
The ever-popular musical We Will Rock You – that’s a collaboration between Queen and playwright Ben Elton – has belted its way into Melbourne, capturing the attention of both hardcore Queen fans and casual Freddie Mercury appreciators.
Since debuting in London way back in 2002, the high energy musical has been hugely successful, playing in 28 countries (including an original Australian season in 2003), and selling a ridiculous amount of tickets worldwide (16 million to be exact), with 6 million of those sold in the UK. Plus, in 2011, We Will Rock You took out the tiara for the UK’s favourite show at the Olivier awards – the ultimate British theatre accolades.
Image credit: We Will Rock You/Jeff Busby
We Will Rock You’s storyline…
The plot has been imaginatively molded around Queen’s most iconic tracks. Yes, We are the Champions, I Want to Break Free and Under Pressure are all here in full volume.
The year is 2350 and the world – now known as iPlanet – is ruled by GlobalSoft Corporation, which has imposed a cookie cutter version of soulless pop and uniformed style upon its inhabitants. Live music and personal expression is strictly prohibited.
Image credit: We Will Rock You/Jeff Busby
Outlaw Galileo Figaro (Gareth Keegan), who bizarrely has old rock lyrics dominating his mind and vocab, finds a kindred spirit in sasscat Scaramouche (Erin Clare), both escaping the clutches of GlobalSoft and their Ken and Barbie classmate clones.
Galileo and Scaramouche meet up with a group of underground rock and roll-inspired rebels (called the Bohemians), led by Brit (Thern Reynolds) and Oz (Jaz Flowers), on a mission to bring back rock and roll and individualism. Brian Mannix joins the odd bunch of characters playing the hippy, rock history archivist, Buddy.
On performances, Clare and Flowers challenge to steal the show, while Reynolds and Flowers do a show stopping job of belting out Headlong together.
Image credit: We Will Rock You/Jeff Busby
Casey Donovan is also a stand-out as Killer Queen – the ruler of this futuristic dystopian world – and pulls some of the most theatrical faces and powerhouse vocals, reminding you of a cross between The Little Mermaid’s Ursula and Martin Lawrence’s Big Momma. And she’s joined by the Bond villain-like henchman Kashoggi (Simon Russell) to round out the main cast.
Image credit: We Will Rock You/Jeff Busby
We Will Rock You is…
A live band belting it out above the stage, elaborate sets, rock and roll-inspired costumes and incredible lighting create a musical feast for the senses, right from the very first eardrum-assaulting guitar strumming.
All show you can feel the audience patiently waiting for the We Will Rock You and Bohemian Rhapsody finales, which are both electrifying pyrotechnic feats that result in much arm-waving and hand-clapping. And the ultimate Bohemian Rhapsody guitar riff, performed on stage by legendary guitarist Simon Croft, will leave you in mouth-open awe.
Image credit: We Will Rock You/Jeff Busby
Having won over audiences of all ages in Sydney and Brisbane already this year, We Will Rock You will play at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre until 30 October 2016, before moving onto Perth’s Crown Theatre in November 2016 and Adelaide’s Festival Theatre in January 2017.
Book your tickets for this fun, high octane night (or day) out, that will leave you smiling at the reinvention of Queen’s greatest classics, giggling at the script peppered with puns and one-liners, and ultimately air guitaring your way out of Regent Theatre.
We Will Rock You | Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria
Tickets from $60.87
wewillrockyou.com.au
