Left – Erin Clare and Gareth Keegan. Cover – Jaz Flowers, Thern Reynolds, Erin Clare and Gareth Keegan. Photos – Jeff BusbyA musical based on the songs of iconic rock legends Queen was always going to be glam, excessive and theatrical, and this production doesn’t disappoint. Ben Elton has crafted a story of immense silliness and camp cliché that somehow works perfectly with the hard driving yet fey rock style of the inimitable Freddie Mercury. It’s not gonna change the world but it’s a hell of a fun night out.
This is billed as a new Australian production, and while the talent may be very home grown it would appear the production values have been transported from overseas as the Opening night souvenir program featured photos of a very different cast. I would be disappointed had I paid a decent swag of money for a memento with production photos that did not feature the cast I had seen. It’s difficult to believe printing logistics are to blame in this digital fast-turnaround age. Hopefully that may change – but check it before you buy! It’s a minor quibble but I felt it didn’t respect the talent of this immensely talented cast.
There are some stellar voices in this production pumping out anthem after anthem with incredible energy and commitment. Top of the list for me is Erin Clare’s Scaramouche. Her powerhouse vocal style and smart sassy dialogue were electrifying and anchored the evening for me. She absolutely made ‘Somebody to Love’ her bitch. Great work. Thern Reynolds' Brit was vocally exciting, fritzing with physical energy and sexy as hell, and Jazz Flowers as Oz was equally memorable, especially in her solo ‘No one but you'. Gareth Keegan’s Galileo was on the whole, charmingly naive and appealing. He has a great tone to his voice but may need to pace himself vocally a little more as he appeared a little sung out by the end of the show, and struggled to really master the iconic encore. But I’m sure that will improve. Freddie’s shoes are hard to fill and this show is a marathon of technique.
I was delighted to see Casey Donovan all grown up and turning in such an aggressively evil performance as the Killer Queen. She’s a big sexy woman now, celebrating her indigenous heritage alongside her incredible voice and she looked a million bucks. She and her evil minion Simon Russell as Khashoggi were obviously having a ball playing their deliciously villainous bad guys. And I was pleasantly surprised by Brian Mannix as Buddy. He looked relaxed and completely enjoying his role amidst the nonsensical pun-driven dialogue. The showman is still firing.
The ensemble is great too, young, fit and turning in great vocals and sharp geometric choreography with apparent ease. The lighting is dazzling and creates the appropriate rock concert ambience on a set that successfully combines hi tech digital effects with more standard scenic elements.
All in all I had a great night, and I think it will only get better as they perform in front of more giving audiences prepared to engage fully with the Rock n Roll tribute elements of the show. Opening night patrons are a notoriously hard room to work, and the audience interaction will grow as they relax and grow in confidence that they have a great show and a more realistic audience cross section. This is a musical whose success is completely dependent on the talent of its performers. There is amazing talent and huge energy in this production, and this version is a lot better than I remember when I saw it back in 2004. Put on your stretch jeans, tease up your hair and go!
Editor's Note: we have been advised that while the program available at the Media Preview contained the international cast, programs featuring the Australian cast have been printed and will be available from Opening Night.
John Frost, in association with Queen Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and Tribeca Theatrical Productions
We Will Rock You
by Queen and Ben Elton
Director Ben Elton
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
Dates: From 28 April 2016
Tickets: From $69.90
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au | 1300 795 267
ALSO Touring
Brisbane From 10 July 2016
Melbourne From 30 August 2016
Perth From November 2016
Adelaide From January 2017
Visit: wewillrockyou.com.au
