Review: We Will Rock You, Sunderland Empire

Jun 13 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

ALL of a sudden, Sunderland seems to be turning into the North East capital of popular culture.

After Take That and Oasis at the Stadium of Light, it was the turn of Queen guitarist Brian May to delight a Wearside audience when he strolled onto the stage at the city’s Empire Theatre and launched into the guitar solo for Bohemian Rhapsody.

To avoid raising expectations, May will NOT be making any more appearances during the run of We Will Rock You, but if the words “Scaramouche, Scaramouche, Will You Do The Fandango?” mean more than just gibberish to you, then you should not be disappointed by this rip-roaring show.

OK, to describe the plot as thin would be being kind, but the energetic cast provide a spell-binding spectacle and a reminder of how many hits Queen actually penned in the 35 years since they were supporting Mott the Hoople on tour. Hands up anyone who saw them on that tour at Newcastle City Hall in 1974?

Anyway, back to 2009, and let’s not forget to mention that Ben Elton, the creator of We Will Rock You, appeared on stage alongside May. It was Elton who created the futurist comedy around 25 of Queen’s biggest hits, with Bohemian Rhapsody the biggest of them all.

Elton said: “The show is all about legend. We take the legend of Queen and create our own fantastical story of young kids battling the mighty corporations who want to suppress their individuality and love for music.”

The plot features a cult called the Bohemians, who worship past icons of rock and roll.

Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly Watts in Coronation Street, was hilarious as an old hippy called Pop, X Factor finalist Brenda Edwards paid homage to both Tina Turner and Grace Jones in her portrayal of the Killer Queen, while Sarah French-Ellis, who played sassy rock chick Scaramouche and had many of the best gags, sang at times like a young Lulu.

Jonathan Wilkes plays Khashoggi, who must do the Killer Queen’s bidding and stamp out any attempts to resurrect rock and roll, while Alex Gaumond is Galileo, a “dreamer” who wakes up to rock lyrics in his head but doesn’t know what they mean. Told you the plot was thin.

Despite being panned by critics when it opened in London’s West End, We Will Rock You has moved to theatres around the world for the past six years to an audience of more than six million. Which just goes to show that theatre critics are about as reliable as weather forecasters or racing tipsters (with the honourable exception of Mr Moscrop, of course!).

If only to sing along to Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Fat Bottomed Girls, Bicycle, Flash, Don’t Stop Me Now and so many more, We Will Rock You is a thoroughly enjoyable evening out.

It runs until June 27. Call 08448 472 499 for ticket details.