During early acting classes we were taught to critique performances objectively. Sure they won us but how/ what are the elements, the ingredients that made such a treat? Not easy when you’re talking about the music of Queen and an excitement quotient offs the scale!
My introduction to Queen was their third album Sheer Heart Attack in 1974. And I was lucky enough to see the London production of WE WILL ROCK YOU and the bar was set pretty high. Until last Wednesday night it was one of my very favourite performances!
And now: “On your mark, (beat), get set, (beat), lets’ GO!” It’s the Premiere of the new Australian production of WE WILL ROCK YOU BY Ben Elton and Brian May. From even before the show the atmosphere was electric, enhanced by the music of The Who and Led Zeppelin and more, that had the audience heads bobbing, (well I was anyway), impatient for the show to start! Then the smoke machine, and exhortation to: “…TURN OFF YOUR FRIGGIN’ PHONE! Live the moment.” And we were off on two and three quarter hours of possibly the most sustained, high energy, never let go musical extravaganza you could wish for!
Gareth Keegan as Galileo was superb, Erin Clare as Scaramouch was excellent with just enough Cockney accent to give her character edge without becoming annoying. Brian Mannix of Uncanny X Men fame was a stand out as Buddy, both vocally, as well as in character and sheer stage presence, complete with gravelly Rock’n’Roll voice! Experience will always tell!
The Killer Queen, played by Australian Idol Winner, Casey Donovan, was spectacular. Many seasoned singers would quail faced with emulating Freddy Mercury’s brilliance. She seemed to only get better later in the show. Thern Reynolds gave us a deliciously quirky Britney matched by Jaz Flowers’ Oz. And Simon Russell was good as Khashoggi.
BUT the real star of the show was the music! The band, including the standout guitarist, Simon Croft, who has a long association with the show and has performed with Brian May and Roger Taylor, were a knockout.
The ensemble of Ga Ga Kids, Teachers, Teen Queens, Yuppies, Bohemians and Doctors were a finely tuned instrument of tight harmonies and Thrilling power. If you were a Queen fan you were in seventh heaven!
The set, by Stufish Entertainment Architects, (really?), was suitably dystopian, and used marvellous and appropriate computerised projection by Mark Fisher and Willie Williams. Costuming by Tim Goodchild and lighting design by Willie Williams also added just the right effects.
Bravo Ben Elton and Brian May for a great script and a stupendous production, (my new best favourite performance!), but most of all for being ahead of your time and having the great idea!
I LOVED it!
WE WILL ROCK YOU the spectacular hit by Ben Elton and Brian May running at the Lyric Theatre, Star City until 26th June and then moves on to Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre as part of its national tour.