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SINGAPORE: You will never again get the chance to see legendary English rock band, Queen, live in concert, but there is always the next best thing.
“We Will Rock You” is a musical based on a collection of songs from the band and named after their one of their best known single.
The plot revolves around an angst-ridden youth, Galileo Figaro, whose planet is under the control of Globalsoft Corporation and its ruler, the Killer Queen.
Mainstream conformity reigns on this planet, with citizens conditioned to hold the same thoughts and opinions, wear the same clothes and listen to the same music.
Galileo begins to receive psychic messages from a rock-and-roll hero from the past (the late lead vocalist of Queen, Freddie Mercury, to be specific), and learns that his destiny is to bring rock and roll back to the people, overturn the evil dictator, and bring peace to the galaxy.
Before you write this off as a cheap act with an outlandish storyline aimed at garnering audiences using the rock band’s name, Queen itself has contributed much more than just its music.
In fact, English comedian Ben Elton collaborated with Queen’s guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor to write the story for “We Will Rock You”. May and Taylor also oversaw the production of the jukebox musical from the beginning until the end.
Apart from stunning costumes and sets, the multi-billion dollar musical features 26 of Queen’s legendary hits including “We Are The Champions”, “Another One Bites The Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.
It stars a talented cast of international artistes, with “Rock Star INXS” finalist Miguel Ayesa fronting the show in the role of Galileo and New Zealand’s pop princess Annie Crummer as the Killer Queen.
For the cast, living up to loyal Queen fans’ expectations is certainly no simple task.
“This is the most demanding role I have ever taken, especially vocally, as these songs weren’t designed to be sung every night,” said Ayesa.
“(It’s not easy) to fill in the shoes of Freddie Mercury, and I’m glad I didn’t have to copy him because I’m not technically Freddie, I’m Galileo who gets these psychic readings from Freddie. I don’t have to sound like him, I can interpret his songs my way."
The musical is in Singapore for an electrifying show that is set to rock you from now until April 27.
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