'A show to be proud of' - We Will Rock You at Blackpool Grand Theatre - review
This high energy show doesn't fail to deliver, write Yvonne Fielding.
Yet again, Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company have produced a show to be proud of, currently running at Blackpool's Grand Theatre. We Will Rock You is a collaboration between Ben Elton and members of Queen.
This high energy show doesn't fail to deliver and holds a smorgasbord of around twenty Queen hits, proving to be the ultimate experience for die-hard fans. The action takes place in a dystopian future where live music is banned and any attempt to rebel is met with dire consequences.
There is nothing pompous about this production. It's simply an entertaining evening out. However, there has been hard work a-plenty in order to achieve the degree of precision required alongside the abundance of exuberance.
There is so much action on stage that it's difficult to take it all in but the singing was so good that there was no disappointment, apart from the large screen which was largely distracting. This is an unusual show, bizarre in it's costume and content. There are dozens of musical references of every ilk and some comical innuendos, not to mention a touch of absurd torture.
The ensemble, which was large, were rarely off stage and they worked their socks off.
However, the main principals were the cherries on this delightful cake. The flame-haired Killer Queen (Lauren Rooney) proved to be a revelation and each of her entrances was eagerly awaited as she truly owned her villainess status backed up with a powerful vocal, her orders being carried out by Commander Kashoggi (Taylor Cheeseman) possessing excellent diction.
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The two central characters, Galileo (Rowan Keane) and Scaramouche (Kayla Meades) were very watchable and their voices blended well together with great dynamics.
Director Howard Raw has honed this production to the max and he must be very proud of his cast. Choreographer Gemma Finbarr-Smith must also be congratulated on a sterling piece of work. Every musical would be nothing without a great sounding orchestra or band and Musical Director George Baldwin certainly delivered with this complicated and glorious score.
There wasn't an empty seat and the audience were vocal and appreciative in response. The show runs until Saturday and guarantees a terrific evening of entertainment.