I’m in the train from London Waterloo, back to Portsmouth Harbour, writing thoughts on a paper tissue. I’ve just seen Queen & Ben Elton’s musical ‘We Will Rock You’, for the third time. I know that’s not a lot though, I’ve heard of people going seven times. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why. I’m in England for the summer and couldn’t stay away – yet again.
On the train to central London, I was listening to Queen’s ‘Breakthru’, which made me want to climb on top of the train to dance. So yes, I love Queen. The first time I went to see The Musical, they just broke the record of longest running live show in the Dominion Theatre. Brian, Roger and Ben would be there to receive an award and took their places three seats in front of me, right before the show started. I briefly spoke to Dr May afterwards and I remember mentioning I was overwhelmed.
But before that, I could understand the point of view of some sceptical fans on the internet, who didn’t believe in the combination of a musical and Queen’s music. However, the way the songs are put together and tell the story, it seems as if they were always meant for this as well. It’s hard to explain that the same familiar songs are bringing joy in a totally new way, but they do. Which is besides the new meaning they seem to have, due to the incredible band. I’ll not spoil too much, but at some point the band members who are out of the spotlights most of the evening, get the attention they deserve and the audience goes wild. Logically too. It’s like listening to a great band playing live, but a few times more than that. Making you think this is not a musical, it’s not a rock concert – it’s We Will Rock You.
And We Will Rock You is a lot of things. After the lights are all set, it kicks off with Queen’s Innuendo and some rather frightening news lines are projected on the great curtain. You’re immediately drawn into it. In short, the story tells us what will happen to music in the future, under influence of things like ‘Idols’ and ‘the internet’. It will mostly be told in a funny (self) spot way though, with nothing but respect to all artists mentioned in the jokes. It’s a story that needs to be told. It’s entertainment and it’s moving. And the rest of the audience – which is as many people as there are seats – agrees with me. I can tell by their responses they are often surprised too.
With this being my third time over a period of four years, they still manage to do that. None of the shows I’ve seen were the same. It gets adjusted to the time, it changes a little, it grows. Which is not that strange as it is running for its eighth year now! I went to see it alone this time and had a front row ticket. Two young girls who looked like they just got back from the beach took places next to me. I think the youngest girl watching it this night was about 6 years old though. And the oldest 86! There were a lot of couples in their forties. Some of whom appeared to be hardcore fans, with their Queen t-shirts. But the group of friends on the right of me just seemed to have had this spontaneous idea for a night out. I heard someone speaking Spanish behind me and then this lady came in, dressed for a night at the opera. It’s obvious there is no target group – it’s for everybody. And before the end of the evening all these people would stand up to give the enthusiastic crew the standing ovation they’ve earned.
I realise this might sound more like a tribute to it, rather than a ‘review’ of the evening, but even if I try to find something for improvement, I can’t think of anything. Everything is so well-timed: the acting, the music and the effects. And most touching moment of all is the tribute they give to all those heroes who died too soon. Elvis Presley. John Lennon. Michael Jackson. Freddie. I cried all the way through ‘No-one but you’, simply because it is so beautiful. Those tears are alternated with me realising I’ve had a big smile on my face the rest of those three hours though. They’ve enchanted me – yet again. It really is magnifico, it’s a kind of magic. They WILL rock you. Go. See. It.
Picture: Hanny van Arkel.
3 Comments
I loved that show and had great company when I went
I LOVE Queen. I think Innuendo may be one of their best songs. I have it on my computer. The guitar work of Dr. May is beyond belief and I’ve Played guitar for 49 years myself.
I couldn’t agree more
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[...] since I saw Queen and Ben Elton’s musical for the first time in London a few years ago, I hoped I could attend it in my own country one day too. This summer it [...]