The smash hit musical featuring Queen’s biggest musical is celebrating it’s 11th year as audiences can’t get enough of the incredible music and talent that graces the stage of the longest running musical at the Dominion Theatre. The musical features a group of bohemians who are frustrated with the new world in the future where everyone dresses and acts the same. Music is forbidden and these bohemians fight to restore the balance of art and creative freedom.
This year, the musical ventured on an arena tour to mark it’s official 10th Anniversary even though it is now in it’s 11th year. With 95 tour dates in Europe and 250 in North America, making 345 in total, people across the world have had the chance to relive the magic of We Will Rock Youcloser to home. Following rave reviews during the UK tour, with reviewers describing it as “a fun ride that leads to the most exhilarating finale”, audiences were captivated by the transformation of taking the musical to bigger venues. The North American leg of the tour is set to kick off on 15th October 2013 and is sure to be as big a hit as it was in the UK.
The We Will Rock Youstory began in London way back in 2002. Since then, the musical has enjoyed success all over the world from Sydney to Tokyo, Bangkok to Milan. It is estimated that around 5.5 million people have seen the musical at the Dominion Theatre alone and around 15 million in total around the world. This is incredible considering when the show originally opened it was panned by critics who called it “ruthlessly packaged and manufactured”, however audience popularity has proved those critics wrong as the show has now entered it’s 11th year on the stage. The show has also won multiple awards which just goes to show how well loved it really is.
We Will Rock You was written by Ben Elton who has also worked on the British classic Blackadder as well as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. Famous for his political satire comedic style, Ben Elton was the perfect man to write the musical about rebellion and fighting for what’s right. Using Queen’s music he based the story around the lyrics, hence the lead character’s name is Galileo Figaro from “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
The success that this musical has achieved has far reached anyone’s expectations, with timeless music, amazing choreography and colourful stage outfits, it definitely has what it takes to take show business by storm. With the odd surprise from Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on the drums, you may even get more than you bargain for. We have a feeling that this outstanding show will be around for many more years to come.
Kaira Rose is a music journalist who specialises in 1970s music. An avid Queen fan, she often writes articles about the band, their music and the musical featuring their hits We Will Rock You.