Fantastic staging pays tribute to the genius of Queen and some of the finest songs ever committed to record.
Jukebox musicals have a natural simplicity as the greatest hits of an artist are cherry picked for maximum effect. The songs of Queen have a theatrical quality about them and fit the genre especially well. The band was a heady combination of musicianship and artistic flair. Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor were the engine room whilst Freddie Mercury was the uniquely charismatic lead vocalist. Ben Elton directs this new production of the show he created with Brian May and Roger Taylor in the early noughties. The wafer thin plot shrinks even more with reworked reference points to social media and information technology. But it’s the songs that matter more as they shine like a beacon through the slick visuals.
The storyline leans heavily on an Orwellian vision of the future where the people are controlled by an all-powerful entity known as the Globalsoft Corporation. They have created a joyless environment where personality and independence of thought is banned. Kids watch the same films and listen to music made by computers. Musical instruments are forbidden and rock music is unknown, a rich history buried and forgotten by the rulers of a new super state.
Galileo (Ian McIntosh) is a member of the latest graduating class, but is experiencing dreams and hears strange words in his head. He refuses to comply like the rest of his classmates and breaks free. But is soon arrested by Khashoggi (Lee Mead), the Globalsoft chief of police. Galileo has a kindred spirit in Scaramouche (Elena Skye) who hears and feels the same things. The Killer Queen (Brenda Edwards) rules Globalsoft and hears rumours of a prophesy. Are the instruments hidden in the secret place of living rock? Perhaps Galileo and Scaramouche hold the key? They soon join the Bohemians led by the Rebel chief (Ben Elton) who believes a bright star will lead them to real music.
Ben Elton fashions a pun laden script that crow bars in every major rock song of the 20th Century. Whilst initially funny, it does start to grate and becomes an intrusion between the brilliantly staged songs. Elton’s role as rebel leader morphs into a quasi stand-up routine which is admittedly very funny. But it also highlights his limitations as an actor. Similarly, his vocal performance on ‘these are the days of our lives’ does him little credit. However, West End stalwarts Brenda Edwards and Lee Mead are in sparkling form as the villains of the piece. Ian Mackintosh and Elena Skye both sing beautifully and receive sterling support from an excellent cast. The band lead by musical director Stuart Morley are scintillating and ably replicate the guitar licks of Brian May. Housed at the beautiful London Coliseum ‘We Will Rock You’ is the definition of a great night out. It’s a ‘must see’ for Queen fans and an ‘ought to see’ for everyone else.
Music & Lyrics: Queen
Writer/Director: Ben Elton
Musical Director: Stuart Morley
Review by: Brian Penn
Playhouse Pickings 