Theatre Review: BLOC We Will Rock You, Bristol Hippodrome
Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: Tuesday 25th August - Saturday 29th August 2026
Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome
Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes (incl. interval)
Photography by Craig Fuller
Review
BLOC Productions’ We Will Rock You is a fun-filled and lively jukebox musical which includes more than 20 classic Queen hits.
It follows the journey of two lost souls who are unable to subscribe to the unsettling and draconian rules of the post-apocalyptic world. Our two leads, Galileo Figaro and Scaramouche, attempt to uncover the lost art of ‘rock’ whilst facing some trials and tribulations along the way.
The performance does not take itself too seriously; it is somewhat panto-esque with an over-the-top villain, comedic relief with many innuendos, and a ‘strangers to soulmates’ arc for our two leads.
Photography by Craig Fuller
The plot and story are not necessarily portrayed as the main feature of the performance as, unsurprisingly, the iconic Queen hits are the showstopper throughout. The production is littered with incredible voices which were a delight to listen to. In particular, Emma Griffiths’ portrayal of Killer Queen was a standout performance. She was a complete all-rounder from start to finish.
Looking beyond the story and powerful voices, the physical set is relatively simple. However it is brought to life by dynamic video graphics which change for each scene and add a notably futuristic and sci-fi feel. This was complimented by the costume design which felt inspired by a classic rock X cyberpunk aesthetic.
Photography by Craig Fuller
The reveal of the band, in the centre of the stage, towards the end of the production was a lovely touch. It reminds us of the skill and importance of musicians in the genre of rock. They definitely deserved their moment in the limelight!
I am always a sucker for some audience participation so if you enjoy singing along and offering your rendition of “stomp…stomp…clap” then it is one to watch.
A standout moment for me has to be the encore of Bohemian Rhapsody – it just didn’t feel right without the inclusion of this big number!
Similar Musicals: Rock of Ages, American Idiot
Written by Chelsea Bartlett
Disclaimer: These tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review