Photo: Johan Persson
REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’
20TH ANNIVERSARY
UK TOUR!
1-6 August 2022
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’
20TH ANNIVERSARY
UK TOUR!
1-6 August 2022
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Whenever I see a really good musical production, one of the first pages I turn to in the program is the one where the technical team and musicians are credited. This, and all of the backstage teams are pages that can easily get flicked past and forgotten with all the limelight generally focused on the performers on the stage. But, there’s an old saying which I’ll paraphrase because I can't remember exactly how it goes, but its essence is basically that there wouldn’t be a show without the hard work of everyone involved behind the scenes to make any production look and sound as good at it appears to audiences.
In the case of We Will Rock You, the fantastic musicianship is evident before we even see anyone on stage. MD, Zachary Flis, leads on keys alongside James Barber, guitar, Simon Croft, guitar, Neil Murray, bass and Dave Cottrell on drums. Each of them has a wealth of musical experience behind them that is probably worthy of a musical in itself, but for now, let’s just say that they provide a huge backbone of support to this rock-roaring musical.
We Will Rock You tells the story of a globalised future without musical instruments. A handful of rock rebels, the Bohemians, fight against the all-powerful Globalsoft company and its boss, the Killer Queen; they fight for freedom, individuality and the rebirth of the age of rock. Scaramouche and Galileo, two young outsiders, cannot come to terms with the bleak conformist reality. They join the Bohemians and embark on the search to find the unlimited power of freedom, love and rock.
There's always been a lot of hype with this show, even before the Award winning Bohemian Rhapsody film came along and wowed the nation. We Will Rock You features the music of one of Britain's most successful and popular bands of all time, Queen. Their music has been played in the homes and the headphones of generations and they are one of the few bands who genuinely appeal to almost every kind of music fan. This was clearly evident, looking at the eclectic and eager Southend audience packed into the sold out Cliffs Pavilion last night. This is the first time in a very long while, that I’ve seen the Cliffs so busy and it took me a while to find a parking space, so if you’re heading down, do leave a little earlier to allow for this because this show is going to be busy all week.
In the case of We Will Rock You, the fantastic musicianship is evident before we even see anyone on stage. MD, Zachary Flis, leads on keys alongside James Barber, guitar, Simon Croft, guitar, Neil Murray, bass and Dave Cottrell on drums. Each of them has a wealth of musical experience behind them that is probably worthy of a musical in itself, but for now, let’s just say that they provide a huge backbone of support to this rock-roaring musical.
We Will Rock You tells the story of a globalised future without musical instruments. A handful of rock rebels, the Bohemians, fight against the all-powerful Globalsoft company and its boss, the Killer Queen; they fight for freedom, individuality and the rebirth of the age of rock. Scaramouche and Galileo, two young outsiders, cannot come to terms with the bleak conformist reality. They join the Bohemians and embark on the search to find the unlimited power of freedom, love and rock.
There's always been a lot of hype with this show, even before the Award winning Bohemian Rhapsody film came along and wowed the nation. We Will Rock You features the music of one of Britain's most successful and popular bands of all time, Queen. Their music has been played in the homes and the headphones of generations and they are one of the few bands who genuinely appeal to almost every kind of music fan. This was clearly evident, looking at the eclectic and eager Southend audience packed into the sold out Cliffs Pavilion last night. This is the first time in a very long while, that I’ve seen the Cliffs so busy and it took me a while to find a parking space, so if you’re heading down, do leave a little earlier to allow for this because this show is going to be busy all week.
Michael McKell
|
A lot of the cast return from the 2019 touring production with Ian McIntosh and Elena Skye back in the roles of Gallileo and Scaramouche and providing some lovely chemistry to match their outstanding vocals throughout. Adam Strong also returns to play Kashoggi, adding a bit of Laurence Llewellyn Bowen to the Tim Curry vibes that he previously brought to the role and Jennifer O’Leary is also back to provide some belting vocals to the role of Killer Queen, not least with It’s a Kind of Magic. I did feel that some performances at times felt a little unenergised and lacking in characterisation but the quality of vocal performances never once faltered.
Michael McKell also returns to play the ‘Mick Jagger’esque’ character who’s seen better days, but with a different name (I won’t spoil it) and some fresh, but equally funny, dialogue thanks to a bit of script reworking by comedy genius writer, Ben Elton. That’s the joy of this production, it has the possibilities to be forever current and relevant as our world of technology frequent upgrades. The script certainly rings true with today's Facebooking, Snapchatting, WhatsApping, TikTok’ing society - there's clearly an underlying message in there; yes, there are the most cheesy segues into the songs, eg; Teacher: "You live in a perfect world, what more could you possibly want?" Galileo (sings): "I want to break free!"........you get the drift, but the cheesiness makes you laugh rather than cringe and the music, both sung and played is off the scale. |
Kate Leiper and Edward Leigh took on the roles of Meat and Brit brilliantly last night and I particularly enjoyed Leiper’s performance of Only the Good Die Young.
Costumes, choreography, lighting and sound make the hardworking ensemble look and sound amazing and the Southend audience couldn’t get enough, clapping and arm waving along at every opportunity.
The height of excitement came at the encore with the cast returning to the stage for the classic Bohemian Rhapsody anthem; but not before Zachary Fils and the rest of his brilliant band came down to the stage for their own well deserved, yet modest, bows to the roar of the delighted crowd.
We Will Rock You is on all this week with matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday. With Queen favourites such as Radio Ga Ga, Killer Queen, Kind of Magic, No One But You (Only the Good Die Young), Who Wants to Live Forever and Days of Our Lives, you won’t want to miss out. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Review: Kim Tobin
Costumes, choreography, lighting and sound make the hardworking ensemble look and sound amazing and the Southend audience couldn’t get enough, clapping and arm waving along at every opportunity.
The height of excitement came at the encore with the cast returning to the stage for the classic Bohemian Rhapsody anthem; but not before Zachary Fils and the rest of his brilliant band came down to the stage for their own well deserved, yet modest, bows to the roar of the delighted crowd.
We Will Rock You is on all this week with matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday. With Queen favourites such as Radio Ga Ga, Killer Queen, Kind of Magic, No One But You (Only the Good Die Young), Who Wants to Live Forever and Days of Our Lives, you won’t want to miss out. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Review: Kim Tobin
Queen and Ben Elton’s smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ is back for 2022 to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new tour in theatres across the UK, directed by Ben Elton. Tickets are available now from wewillrockyou.com.
The musical has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas all around the world since it first premiered in London nearly 20 years ago at the Dominion Theatre in May 2002. And now, the original writer of We Will Rock You and godfather of stand-up comedy, Ben Elton will be back in the Director’s chair working with the new 2022 cast ready to rock UK audiences once again.
Ben Elton said: “I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years since We Will Rock You premiered in London. Or that much of what we thought was science fiction in the script back then has turned into science fact! I guess Queen were always ahead of the game! I’ve directed this show all over the world and I can’t wait to bring it home to the UK with a brand new production and a fabulous cast of young Bohemians, most of whom were rocking in their cradles when this adventure first began.”
The musical extravaganza featuring 24 of Queen’s greatest hits, which has been watched by over 16 million people in 19 countries, will once again rock theatres across the UK from February next year. After opening in Portsmouth, the tour will play York, Cornwall, Bournemouth, Stoke-On-Trent, Liverpool, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Bristol, Reading, Aylesbury, Ipswich, Torquay, Wolverhampton, Wimbledon, Stockton, Peterborough, Norwich, Bromley, Birmingham, Southend, Canterbury, Southampton, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
The cast will see Ian McIntosh play Galileo, Elena Skye as Scaramouche, Jenny O’Leary as Killer Queen and Adam Strong as Khashoggi. Together with Michael Mckell as Buddy, Martina Ciabatti Mennell as Oz, David Michael Johnson as Brit, and an Ensemble including Laura Bird, Kate Leiper, Joanne Harper, Anna Davey, Edward Leigh, Spin, Karen Walker, David Muscat, Damien Walsh, Laura Ava-Scott, Victoria Collins, Joseph Connor, Louis Clarke-Clare and Jacob Fearey.
Website: wewillrockyou.com
Twitter: @wwryglobal
Instagram: wewillrockyouglobal
Facebook: facebook.com/wewillrockyouglobal
The musical has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas all around the world since it first premiered in London nearly 20 years ago at the Dominion Theatre in May 2002. And now, the original writer of We Will Rock You and godfather of stand-up comedy, Ben Elton will be back in the Director’s chair working with the new 2022 cast ready to rock UK audiences once again.
Ben Elton said: “I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years since We Will Rock You premiered in London. Or that much of what we thought was science fiction in the script back then has turned into science fact! I guess Queen were always ahead of the game! I’ve directed this show all over the world and I can’t wait to bring it home to the UK with a brand new production and a fabulous cast of young Bohemians, most of whom were rocking in their cradles when this adventure first began.”
The musical extravaganza featuring 24 of Queen’s greatest hits, which has been watched by over 16 million people in 19 countries, will once again rock theatres across the UK from February next year. After opening in Portsmouth, the tour will play York, Cornwall, Bournemouth, Stoke-On-Trent, Liverpool, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Bristol, Reading, Aylesbury, Ipswich, Torquay, Wolverhampton, Wimbledon, Stockton, Peterborough, Norwich, Bromley, Birmingham, Southend, Canterbury, Southampton, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
The cast will see Ian McIntosh play Galileo, Elena Skye as Scaramouche, Jenny O’Leary as Killer Queen and Adam Strong as Khashoggi. Together with Michael Mckell as Buddy, Martina Ciabatti Mennell as Oz, David Michael Johnson as Brit, and an Ensemble including Laura Bird, Kate Leiper, Joanne Harper, Anna Davey, Edward Leigh, Spin, Karen Walker, David Muscat, Damien Walsh, Laura Ava-Scott, Victoria Collins, Joseph Connor, Louis Clarke-Clare and Jacob Fearey.
Website: wewillrockyou.com
Twitter: @wwryglobal
Instagram: wewillrockyouglobal
Facebook: facebook.com/wewillrockyouglobal
Photo Credits: Trevor Leighton (Ben Elton) Rankin (Brian May and Roger Taylor)
INTERVIEW
WITH BRIAN MAY, ROGER TAYLOR & BEN ELTON
WITH BRIAN MAY, ROGER TAYLOR & BEN ELTON
What better way to follow the worldwide box office movie success of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ than with the 2022 UK & Ireland tour of the smash hit Queen and Ben Elton musical ‘We Will Rock You’? Queen fans and lovers of musical theatre alike are advised not to miss this production, which promises to deliver the rock, spirit and spectacle of one of the world’s best-selling bands, Queen. Given the immense success of previous productions, this year’s ‘We Will Rock You’ tour is sure to be another runaway success.
Since 2002, over 18 million theatregoers in over 20 countries have been thrilled by this epic show. Having enjoyed an incredibly impressive run of 12 years at London’s Dominion Theatre, followed by many triumphant tours and the 10th anniversary world arena tour in 2013, ‘We Will Rock You’ will dazzle audiences at multiple venues across the UK & Ireland on a 7 month tour, beginning at Southsea Kings Theatre on 7th February 2022.
‘We Will Rock You’ is set in a distant, dystopian future where Earth is called Planet Mall and its inhabitants wear the same clothes, think the same thoughts and exist in a brain-dead haze. This system forbids musical instruments and composers, whilst rock music is all but unknown. The musical tells the story of Galileo, Scaramouche, Killer Queen and the other ‘Bohemians’. Join them on their journey to discover the Holy Grail of Rock and restore the free exchange of thought, fashion and most importantly, live music.
Speaking about the process he underwent to write the show’s script, Ben Elton, one of Britain’s most successful writers, says it became clear to him that the story had to comprise an abstract quality “that reflected the feel of the word and music, rather than its literal content”. He elaborates that, “This was not pop music, but rock music. Some of the most famous rock ever written, and legendary music should have a legendary context. I began to think of legends, both new and old, from King Arthur to The Terminator; heroic myths in which brave individuals take on the vast monolithic force of evil systems.”
The musical’s narrative is certainly bold and its success is therefore unsurprising. If previous reviews are anything to go by, then this tour promises to be a must-see: The Daily Telegraph observed that, “There was wild applause at the climax of the show… and it only got louder”. The Financial Times commented that, “The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”, while the Daily Express was short and sweet in its assessment of the production, branding it simply “Spectacular”.
Equally as impressive as the show created from their musical canon are Queen legends themselves, Brian May and Roger Taylor, who had early reservations about staging a musical.
“We were not initially convinced, not being fans of the ‘Musical Theatre’ genre on the whole,” says Brian. “The show needed to work in a theatrical context and retain the rock, whilst also incorporating the spectacle, uniqueness and humour embodied by Queen.”
This was certainly an important aspect to include for Roger, who affirmed that, “We (Queen) took the music seriously, but we never took ourselves seriously. We always had the ability to laugh at ourselves. Some of the stage gear and even some of the music is quite humorous. The whole middle section of Bohemian Rhapsody was - we did a lot of daft things and a lot of experimentation.” It was therefore important to do something new. Brian continues, “If we were going to go into this arena, the challenge was that we would somehow try and make it our own.”
Fortunately, this challenge was both accepted and triumphantly overcome. Brian remembers that, “there was a point where I realised there was a whole new area of creativity opening up to us if we wanted it - a whole new canvas to paint on”. And ‘We Will Rock You’ is certainly creative with a book written by Ben Elton, whom Roger describes as having “such a great active mind that never ever stops churning out ideas”. The show is fun, light and humorous, yet also contains those softer and, at times, heart-rending moments, which allow an audience to emotionally invest. Ben describes it as “intriguing, challenging, achingly romantic, brutally cynical and at once both sad and hilarious”.
‘We Will Rock You’ undoubtedly blends all of these elements and, as Ben intended it to be received, Roger describes the show as “silly, but funny and making quite a lot of serious points while it goes on its rather daft course”. Echoing Brian’s determination to create something “new in every sense”, he goes on to reflect that the intention was “to keep it a bit gritty and make sure it’s not a typical show”. If you haven’t seen the show before, then you’ll soon find out that they completed this task with flying colours.
Thematically, ‘We Will Rock You’ couldn’t seem more relevant today: set in a world where individuality is no longer valued and being performed on a stage which is “breathtaking in terms of equipment” and “totally cutting edge technically”, the show arguably speaks to a modern audience more than ever.
With today’s focus on technological advancement, reading and the marriage of minds seem to have become out-dated activities and Brian recognises the musical’s significance today. “I think it’s a very good comment on the way things are going. Ben’s idea that individuality is being eroded every second of the day and soon it will be impossible for people to write their own music, think their own thoughts, write their own poetry is very perceptive.” To Brian, ‘Radio Ga Ga’ “represents the malady which is taking over the world. It’s almost like that old ‘men versus machines’ thing, which we also addressed a few albums ago.”
Just as ‘We Will Rock You’ explores themes relevant to those growing up in today’s world, the tour offers younger generations, who may not have heard this music before, the opportunity to discover the iconic musical genius that is Queen. Brian comments, “I had this very strange thought that it’s quite possible that this particular musical might be the thing through which people know our music in 300 years’ time.”
Speaking about the band’s relevance today he goes on to say that, “I’m quite shocked at how fresh this stuff still sounds and it makes me very happy, obviously”. Queen’s back catalogue is clearly standing the test of time, and this new tour of ‘We Will Rock You’ is sure to be a stand out spectacle which will offer fantastic performances and incredible production value.
Brian says “We’re confident ‘We Will Rock You’ fans will love revisiting the world’s first true Rock Theatrical, and a whole new generation will now discover the VIBE!”
‘The Show Must Go On’ and this is one not to be missed!
We Will Rock You UK tour comes to CLIFFS PAVILION between 1-6 AUGUST. For tickets: thecliffspavilion.co.uk
Since 2002, over 18 million theatregoers in over 20 countries have been thrilled by this epic show. Having enjoyed an incredibly impressive run of 12 years at London’s Dominion Theatre, followed by many triumphant tours and the 10th anniversary world arena tour in 2013, ‘We Will Rock You’ will dazzle audiences at multiple venues across the UK & Ireland on a 7 month tour, beginning at Southsea Kings Theatre on 7th February 2022.
‘We Will Rock You’ is set in a distant, dystopian future where Earth is called Planet Mall and its inhabitants wear the same clothes, think the same thoughts and exist in a brain-dead haze. This system forbids musical instruments and composers, whilst rock music is all but unknown. The musical tells the story of Galileo, Scaramouche, Killer Queen and the other ‘Bohemians’. Join them on their journey to discover the Holy Grail of Rock and restore the free exchange of thought, fashion and most importantly, live music.
Speaking about the process he underwent to write the show’s script, Ben Elton, one of Britain’s most successful writers, says it became clear to him that the story had to comprise an abstract quality “that reflected the feel of the word and music, rather than its literal content”. He elaborates that, “This was not pop music, but rock music. Some of the most famous rock ever written, and legendary music should have a legendary context. I began to think of legends, both new and old, from King Arthur to The Terminator; heroic myths in which brave individuals take on the vast monolithic force of evil systems.”
The musical’s narrative is certainly bold and its success is therefore unsurprising. If previous reviews are anything to go by, then this tour promises to be a must-see: The Daily Telegraph observed that, “There was wild applause at the climax of the show… and it only got louder”. The Financial Times commented that, “The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”, while the Daily Express was short and sweet in its assessment of the production, branding it simply “Spectacular”.
Equally as impressive as the show created from their musical canon are Queen legends themselves, Brian May and Roger Taylor, who had early reservations about staging a musical.
“We were not initially convinced, not being fans of the ‘Musical Theatre’ genre on the whole,” says Brian. “The show needed to work in a theatrical context and retain the rock, whilst also incorporating the spectacle, uniqueness and humour embodied by Queen.”
This was certainly an important aspect to include for Roger, who affirmed that, “We (Queen) took the music seriously, but we never took ourselves seriously. We always had the ability to laugh at ourselves. Some of the stage gear and even some of the music is quite humorous. The whole middle section of Bohemian Rhapsody was - we did a lot of daft things and a lot of experimentation.” It was therefore important to do something new. Brian continues, “If we were going to go into this arena, the challenge was that we would somehow try and make it our own.”
Fortunately, this challenge was both accepted and triumphantly overcome. Brian remembers that, “there was a point where I realised there was a whole new area of creativity opening up to us if we wanted it - a whole new canvas to paint on”. And ‘We Will Rock You’ is certainly creative with a book written by Ben Elton, whom Roger describes as having “such a great active mind that never ever stops churning out ideas”. The show is fun, light and humorous, yet also contains those softer and, at times, heart-rending moments, which allow an audience to emotionally invest. Ben describes it as “intriguing, challenging, achingly romantic, brutally cynical and at once both sad and hilarious”.
‘We Will Rock You’ undoubtedly blends all of these elements and, as Ben intended it to be received, Roger describes the show as “silly, but funny and making quite a lot of serious points while it goes on its rather daft course”. Echoing Brian’s determination to create something “new in every sense”, he goes on to reflect that the intention was “to keep it a bit gritty and make sure it’s not a typical show”. If you haven’t seen the show before, then you’ll soon find out that they completed this task with flying colours.
Thematically, ‘We Will Rock You’ couldn’t seem more relevant today: set in a world where individuality is no longer valued and being performed on a stage which is “breathtaking in terms of equipment” and “totally cutting edge technically”, the show arguably speaks to a modern audience more than ever.
With today’s focus on technological advancement, reading and the marriage of minds seem to have become out-dated activities and Brian recognises the musical’s significance today. “I think it’s a very good comment on the way things are going. Ben’s idea that individuality is being eroded every second of the day and soon it will be impossible for people to write their own music, think their own thoughts, write their own poetry is very perceptive.” To Brian, ‘Radio Ga Ga’ “represents the malady which is taking over the world. It’s almost like that old ‘men versus machines’ thing, which we also addressed a few albums ago.”
Just as ‘We Will Rock You’ explores themes relevant to those growing up in today’s world, the tour offers younger generations, who may not have heard this music before, the opportunity to discover the iconic musical genius that is Queen. Brian comments, “I had this very strange thought that it’s quite possible that this particular musical might be the thing through which people know our music in 300 years’ time.”
Speaking about the band’s relevance today he goes on to say that, “I’m quite shocked at how fresh this stuff still sounds and it makes me very happy, obviously”. Queen’s back catalogue is clearly standing the test of time, and this new tour of ‘We Will Rock You’ is sure to be a stand out spectacle which will offer fantastic performances and incredible production value.
Brian says “We’re confident ‘We Will Rock You’ fans will love revisiting the world’s first true Rock Theatrical, and a whole new generation will now discover the VIBE!”
‘The Show Must Go On’ and this is one not to be missed!
We Will Rock You UK tour comes to CLIFFS PAVILION between 1-6 AUGUST. For tickets: thecliffspavilion.co.uk
“Magnifico!”
The Sun
“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks.
An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”
Daily Mirror
“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”
Financial Times
“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”
Daily Telegraph
“Spectacular”
Daily Express
The Sun
“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks.
An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”
Daily Mirror
“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”
Financial Times
“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”
Daily Telegraph
“Spectacular”
Daily Express
‘We Will Rock You’ 2022 UK Tour Dates
04/07/2022 – 30/07/2022 Birmingham: Hippodrome
01/08/2022 – 06/08/2022 Southend: Cliffs Pavilion
08/08/2022 – 13/08/2022 Canterbury: Marlowe Theatre
15/08/2022 – 20/08/2022 Southampton: Mayflower Theatre
22/08/2022 – 27/08/2022 Newcastle: Theatre Royal
29/08/2022 – 03/09/2022 Sheffield: City Hall
05/09/2022 – 10/09/2022 Manchester: Palace Theatre
04/07/2022 – 30/07/2022 Birmingham: Hippodrome
01/08/2022 – 06/08/2022 Southend: Cliffs Pavilion
08/08/2022 – 13/08/2022 Canterbury: Marlowe Theatre
15/08/2022 – 20/08/2022 Southampton: Mayflower Theatre
22/08/2022 – 27/08/2022 Newcastle: Theatre Royal
29/08/2022 – 03/09/2022 Sheffield: City Hall
05/09/2022 – 10/09/2022 Manchester: Palace Theatre