Theatre Review: We Will Rock You by QUEEN and Ben Elton
Rating: ★★★★
In Summary
Genre: Musical
Running Dates: April 18th to April 23rd
Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome (UK Tour)
Duration: 2 hours 46 minutes (including 20 minute interval)
Keywords: musical, rock music, live music
Content Warnings: bullys, social media addiction
Review
At the beginning of the show, you are asked not to sing along with the cast. By the end of it, you are standing up singing your heart out!
This musical builds on the nostalgia linked to the glorious rock music era. Nevertheless, the music references in the script or in the names of the characters very cleverly embrace a whole lot of other music genres.
Galileo and Scaramouche live in a dystopian future, where rock music is banned as is any type of claim for one’s individuality and creativity. Apart from Galileo, Scaramouche and the Bohemians, everyone looks the same, talks the same. Everyone is very lonely too, friendship doesn’t exist anymore - all forms of contact happen through the internet.
This is a very much wanted show for the Bristol Hippodrome, as it was after two days of this show being set up in 2020 that the theatre had to close for the first lockdown. And I must say that the cast and the production made a great effort to reflect that on the opening night.
Aside from the 24 amazingly sung pieces by Queen, the show has an array of funny and very well timed lines, great costumes, and a powerful attitude built into every character. The scenography is one of the simplest I have seen but clearly, the music is the showstopper here - the live rock band is just the cherry on top!
It is very difficult not to end by saying that this show leaves us thinking of how we live in our modern society: trapped by social media, unable to live without the internet, having just gone through a time when all human connection literally only happened through wires! Will there be a time when all efforts to bring out one’s individuality will be banned and we will all end up looking all the same?
This show reminds us that we are all unique and our creative or funny traits are to be cherished in a time when they can be easily taken apart.
The Round Up
Standout Quote or Moment: You’re an individual, they will never forgive you for that!
See If: you are a fan of Queen or music in general!
Similar Plays: Grease (musical), Hair
Last Impressions: An eager cast that has been waiting way too long to get back on stage! A nostalgic trip to rock years and a critical look at our modern society.
Written By Angela Massela
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