any way the wind blows... (We Will Rock You)

Member Name: doyoureally

Product:	We Will Rock You
Date:	13/03/03 (712 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The music, Passionate performances, Fun & participative

Disadvantages: Plot is thin

Unmissable rendition of Queen's music by new and talented cast.

Let's begin the review with a clear statement - no one can ever "be" Freddy Mercury on stage. But - if they could then that persona is performing nightly on the stage at London' s Dominion theatre.

"We will rock you" is a tribute and re-enactment of possibly the greatest rock band of all time through the guise of a story by Ben Elton. The show was shaped and modelled with the direct input of Brian May. At times the story line may weaken a little painfully, but it is saved within moments by the music. The vaired cast deliver quality renditions of tracks to which you know every word (even though you didn't realise it).


More about the show
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If you ever saw Queen perform live - then this is not it - but close your eyes and the musicians and singers do a superb job of recreating almost every song they render. Open your eyes too then - or you miss very good performances and effects.

Delivered in two acts the show is of a sensible duration - making the best of the content without stretching into every lyric Freddy ever sung. Ben Elton must have felt "Under Pressure" when contriving to to combine such great rock into a watchable and holistic experience.

The story line draws on two strong themes from Queen's musical perspective - their lighthearted derision of plastic pop and manufactured music balanced against their own ability to some fantastic pop-tunes that seem them laughing at themselves. It is et in the future and there I stop...

I am NOT going to tell you the plot - but it is simple to follow and amusingly delivered with great comic timing in parts. True, the story perhaps lacks the artistic integrity of the music itself - but don't let that get in the way of your enjoyment.

Every song is performed with gusto by a range of the lead characters - and their


differing age, size and delivery offer a fresh yet entirely reminiscent version of classic Queen songs. I challenge you not to sing under your breath and tap your feet early on. Later on you will probably stand and clap with the rest of them.

The special effects chaps are very busy and add richness to the visual experience without intruding on the music.

Reviews often give away too much spoiling your surprise and delight at theatre, so here this ends. But if you fancy most of the greatest Queen anthems rocking you through a couple of hours - you are in for a treat.


Where
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The Dominion theatre is adjacent the junction between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street, in London.

This means you have a choice of many buses which pass by from all over London including most mainline rail stations OR the tube to you guessed it Tottenham Court Road.

"Driven by you"? Coming here by car is not the best idea unless you know London well and have a parking plan (try NCP Great Russell Street.) !

Or to truly act it all out - perhaps you should "Bicycle, bicycle?."


When & How much
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"The show must go on" every day. Performances are as follows:-

Monday-Friday 19:30.
Saturday 15:00, 19:30.
Wed Mat 14:30 (last Wed of each month only)

Prices are from £21.50 - £42.50

Direct Booking: +44 (0)870 607 7400

Ticket costs vary as ever based on day and seat - my advice is to sit around 50feet from the stage towards the middle. You get the atmosphere from anywhere - but here you get the best combination of sound and visual impact. Many of the group dance sequences are best experienced with a central viewpoint - so that is my choice of where to ask to sit.

I was lucky enough to by my good tickets for half-price at www.lastminute.com - but any theatre agent worth their salt will have th
em -
or why not order direct and collect them when you get there. I checked a few agents and tickets for most shows seem to be available.


Before and afterwards
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No doubt you will need feeding and watering as part of you visit.

Nearby Soho offers the best range of café's bars and restaurants and is usually fairly buzzy. Just head south towards Trafalgar Square but turn right just before Les miserable to your right.

I recommend Kettners for good, simple, well priced food just 5 minutes walking distance from the theatre. (29 Romilly St W1; 0171 734 6112) But there are a wide variety of foods on offer and pure competition means few places are that bad. Take a chance on somewhere new.


In conclusion
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Freddy truly was a "Great Pretender" - always larking around on stage before taking our thought and feelings to a deeper level in the next moment. This is not Queen - but it is a damn fine attempt to bring something of their "kind of Magic" to the London stage.

The cast of this thoroughly enjoyable musical gives 110%. You feel exhausted on their behalf.

If he weren't Brian May, Brian May would be jealous of that guy on the guitar in Bohemian Rhapsody.

"These are the days of our lives" - so don't let yours slip away without hearing Bohemian Rhapsody sung live to a musically perfect backdrop.


Please don't forget to rate this review. Thanks

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