Review: We Will Rock You The Musical at The Regent Theatre*

I watched the smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton We Will Rock You at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate its 20^th anniversary and what a fabulous show it was!

The musical extravaganza featured 24 of Queen’s greatest hits including some of my favourites Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free, Killer Queen, Under Pressure, Another One Bites The Dust and Don’t Stop Me Now.

Directed by Ben Elton, the musical is set hundreds of years in the future where Planet Earth is known as the iPlanet and controlled by the evil Killer Queen (played by Jenny O’Leary) who runs Globalsoft Corporation.  The inhabitants on iPlanet are very rigid in their way of life from their dressing and expectations, so much so that, individuality is frowned upon and rock music forgotten as it has been replaced by digital pop music.

The plot of the musical is very unique where the main characters are seen as rebels and want to break free from the brain-dead online world. They soon join a group of Bohemians to look for the Holy Axe and the Lost Riff.   Will they succeed?

As We Will Rock You The Musical opens, we are transported to Gaga High School where we are introduced to the two main characters Galileo Figaro (played by Damien Walsh) and Scaramouche (played by Anna Davey).  Damien and Anna are both understudies yet gave such a memorable performance. Anna has a wonderful singing voice and belted the songs amazingly throughout the night.

Special mention has to go to the cast and musicians especially Jenny O’Leary whose vocal is strong and powerful. One of the favourites of the night had to be Cliff Richard (played by Michae McKell), his charisma and professionalism just shone thorough his lines.  Khashoggi (played by Adam Strong) was wonderfully funny yet evil and villainous.   We occasionally had a glimpse of the 5-piece live band who were performing on the top floor of the stage (behind the screen), they certainly brought Queen’s music alive!  You could see the crowd humming, tapping their feet, clapping and singing along to the songs as they were performed.

I found the show on the whole to be entertaining and captivating.  Tim Blazdell’s set design and the video production by STUISH Entertainment Architects/Willie Williams was simply magnificent!  Glamorous costumes (designed by Kentaur) and witty lines brought the play together magically.  Don’t expect a tribute show when you watch We Will Rock You The Musical in its traditional form as the plot is very different and shares about an Orwellian society which we are somewhat heading to unknowingly.

The show of course finished on a high with the crowd singing to We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions and a standing ovation at the end of the hypnotic Bohemian Rhapsody (which I hoped would not end).  What a night indeed!

The Cast

Damien Walsh (understudy) – Galileo

Anna Davey (understudy) – Scaramouche

Jenny O’Leary – Killer Queen

Adam Strong – Khashoggi

Michael Mckell – Cliff Richard

Martina Ciabatti Mennell – Meatloaf

David Michael Johnson – Britney Spears

Ensemble – Laura Bird, Kate Leiper, Joanne Harper, Edward Leigh, Spin, Karen Walker, David Muscat, Laura Ava-Scott, Victoria Collins, Joseph Connor, Louis Clarke-Clare and Jacob Fearey.

Band 

Musical Director/Piano – Zach Flis

Associate Conductors – Matt Herbet, Meg Cave

Guitar – James Barber

Guitar – Simon Croft

Bass Guitar – Neil Murray

Drums – Dave Cotterell

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £13 to £74.90.

How do I book tickets to watch We Will Rock You?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting ATG’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The performance will run until Saturday, 12 March 2022. The shows will be at 7.30pm with two matinee shows on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.  Do visit their website for more details.

Where is The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent?

Piccadilly
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1AP
Tel: 08448717649

About the Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Tips / Information

• Masks and Covid passes are not mandatory in the Theatre at the moment
• Ample public car park spaces are available near to the Regent Theatre. The nearby John Street car park has a single charge of £1.50 from 6pm to it closes at 11.30pm
• Accessibility: On arrival at the theatre there are nine steps leading from the front doors to the foyer. There is a small lift suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
• There is lift access to all levels from the foyer (with an audible announcer)
• There is an infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium
• Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre, and water is provided for them on request
• Accessible toilets are available

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