Theatre review: We Will Rock You, Liverpool

Sep 15 2011 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

THE Queen and Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You brought down the house in Liverpool sending fans into a frenzy and receiving rapturous applause.

Heading up the top-notch cast is former Hear’say member Noel Sullivan as rebel fighter Galileo Figaro whose TV talent show background adds a touch of irony to the touring production.

It is 2046 and Planet Mall, formerly Earth, is under the control of cyber-giant Globalsoft, a corporation run by the Killer Queen that has banned live, music, instruments and songs. Rock ‘n’ roll is dead thanks to Simon Cowell, the axing of Top of the Pops and Globalsoft churning out endless pop flops generated by computer.

A resistance group of Bohemians, who strive to break free from conformity, are brainwashed by the authorities and it’s up to Galileo, a dreamer who hears lyrics from long-lost hits, to bring real music back to the world.

But this musical masterpiece is all about the songs. Even those who aren’t particular Queen fans can’t fault the live band or the cast’s belting vocal performances of 24 of the bands biggest hits including I Want To Break Free, Don’t Stop Me Now, We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody and of course, We Will Rock You.

Sullivan proves he can take a Queen song and own it with his impressive singing voice, while ex-Brookside star Leon Lopez is bursting with energy as Britney Spears and his soulful voice lends itself to I Want It All.

Musical veteran Earl Carpenter (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables) does a sterling job as Khashoggi, the Killer Queen’s henchman. And Ian Reddington (Coronation Street, Eastenders) is excellent as Pop, but it would have been nice to see him on the stage more.

It was the leading ladies who stole with show with Amanda Coutts (Galileo’s fiesty ‘chick’ Scaramouche), Jenny Douglas (Bohemian rebel Meat) and Ashley J Russell (Killer Queen) providing a special kind of magic for fans and newcomers to the rock legend that is Queen.

We Will Rock You is at the Liverpool Empire until September 24. Call the box office on 0844 871 3017.