It’s hard to imagine any Queen fan not getting excited about hearing Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love and Don’t Stop Me Now performed live, and the Bristol Hippodrome was rocking to the sounds of their classic hits last night. With its futuristic setting, larger-than-life characters, spectacular staging and plenty of humour, The BLOC Productions take on We Will Rock You is a wonderfully entertaining night at the theatre, while its message about individuality and the importance of finding your own voice feels just as relevant today as when the musical first premiered.
Written by Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, We Will Rock You first arrived in London’s West End in 2002 and went on to become a global phenomenon. It ran for an incredible 12 years at the Dominion Theatre, where more than seven million people watched the show, and it has since been performed in 28 countries to audiences of more than 16 million people.
Now BLOC Productions has brought this much-loved musical to the Bristol Hippodrome, following its impressive 40th Anniversary production of Les Misérables.
The story takes us to a futuristic Earth where individuality has been outlawed and music is controlled by algorithms. On the renamed iPlanet, everyone is expected to think, dress and behave in the same way, while musical instruments have disappeared and live music is something from a distant past.
It is into this world that Galileo Figaro and Scaramouche emerge as two very unlikely rebels. Determined to escape the manufactured world around them, they find themselves drawn into the resistance of the Bohemians, who are fighting against the wonderfully over-the-top Killer Queen and her army of brainwashed Ga Ga Kids.
There is plenty of humour throughout the story, and it is deliberately larger than life. This is not a show that takes its dystopian setting too seriously, instead using it as a brilliant excuse to bring together Queen’s music, comedy, romance and a healthy dose of rebellion.
With more than 20 Queen songs woven into the story, there are moments throughout the performance when you simply have to sit back and enjoy the music. Somebody to Love, We Are the Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You are all there, alongside plenty of other Queen favourites.
There is something particularly enjoyable about hearing these songs performed live in the Bristol Hippodrome. The audience is clearly familiar with much of the soundtrack and you can feel the excitement building whenever one of those instantly recognisable introductions begins.
We Will Rock You also manages to appeal across the generations. For those who grew up listening to Queen, there is plenty of nostalgia, while younger members of the audience are introduced to the music through a story that feels energetic, funny and contemporary.
The production itself is suitably ambitious. BLOC Productions has developed a reputation for bringing professional-quality musical theatre to the Bristol Hippodrome and this is a show that demands plenty from its cast and creative team.
There is impressive staging, colourful costumes and a real sense of scale, with a large live orchestra providing the musical backdrop. The contrast between the regimented world of the iPlanet and the rebellious Bohemian world also gives the production plenty of visual energy.
The cast throw themselves into the show with enthusiasm, and there is a real sense that everyone on stage is having fun with the material. That is important with We Will Rock You, because this is a musical that doesn’t really do subtle. It is bold, loud, funny and completely unapologetic about its love of Queen.
At its heart, We Will Rock You is about people finding their own voice and refusing to be told who they should be. It is about creativity, individuality and the idea that music can bring people together. Those themes are at the centre of the production, but they also seem to echo in the enthusiasm and commitment of the people putting the show on.
For Queen fans, the soundtrack alone makes this a great night out. But even if you are not someone who would describe yourself as a huge Queen devotee, there is plenty here to enjoy. The humour keeps the story moving, the staging creates plenty of spectacle and the familiar songs provide those big, feel-good moments that musical theatre audiences love.
And there is something quite infectious about watching a packed Bristol Hippodrome audience respond to the music. By the time the show reaches its biggest numbers, the distinction between musical theatre audience and rock concert crowd has almost disappeared.
We Will Rock You is loud, energetic, funny and wonderfully nostalgic, but it also has a surprisingly relevant message running through it. In a world where so much of what we listen to is increasingly shaped by algorithms and trends, the idea of finding your own voice feels particularly appropriate.
If you are looking for a fun night at the Bristol Hippodrome this August, particularly one that works for a group or family with different generations, We Will Rock You is well worth adding to your list. You can get your tickets here.
