We Will Rock You

Musicals

West End

Dominion Theatre

Until Sat Oct 26

We Will Rock You

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Time Out says

Thu Apr 14 2011

Problems with Ben Elton's conversion of Queen's back catalogue into a theatrical production? 'We Will Rock You's depiction of a dystopian future where live music is banned rails against the corporatisation of music like a crusty hippy in John Lewis. Yet during the interval, the tannoys blare out: 'Ladies and gentleman, the “We Will Rock You” finale is guaranteed to blow your mind! So get your glowsticks now!'.

Agit-prop tirades against the soullessness of the state's enforced formation dancing are used to paint the rock-star wannabe of a lead (called Galileo Figaro, obviously) as a futuristic Che Guevara. But upon the discovery that rock'n'roll offers untrammelled freedom of expression, he prances about like one of Britney's backing dancers.

At points, 'We Will Rock You' gets so worked up about the cultural impact of 'X Factor' et al that you wonder if the audience might be sent out to bring back Simon Cowell's head on a plate. Yet the production happily employs 'X Factor' ejectee Brenda Edwards as one of the leads. And while it's box-tickingly keen to include a (clunky) feminist female lead, they patronisingly explain her existential malaise as being a lack of 'Somebody to LURRRVE'.

But why would 'We Will Rock You' be a credible work of theatre? After all, Queen's brand image was so arch that they could've starred in their own 'Carry On' film. So never mind the clunky song intros ('What do I want? I want TO BRAAYYYYK FREEEEE!') and sexual innuendo ('You are an eager beaver.' 'You leave my eager beaver out of this!', etc). It SHOULD be daft. And ultimately, the main draw is a punchy soundsystem ringing to the katana-sharp live renditions of the band's material, although it's a bit of a shame that Freddie's lyrics are occasionally tinkered with for plot purposes. As is the underwhelmingly reserved atmosphere created by a tourist-heavy audience. Queen fans with a sense of humour won't be disappointed. Theatre fans may want to look elsewhere.

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Venue details

MAP

Name:
Dominion Theatre
Address:
Dominion Theatre 268-269 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7AQ

Phone:
0844 847 1775
Website:
www.dominiontheatre.com/
Transport:
Tottenham Court Road tube
Map
1. Dominion Theatre
  - 268-269 Tottenham Court Road
    London
    W1T 7AQ
  - 0844 847 1775
  - www.dominiontheatre.com/
  - 51.516963,-0.129642

Event phone:
0844 847 1775

Categories:
Theatre. West End. Musicals
Occasions:
Boys' night out. Girls' night out. Going in a group
Type of event:
Plays and shows

We Will Rock You 2013

Date Time Price information
Fri May 24

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets
Sat May 25

14:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets

19:30
Mon May 27

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets
Tue May 28

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets
Wed May 29

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets
Thu May 30

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets
Fri May 31

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 45mins. Booking to Oct 26
Buy tickets

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Comments & ratings

(9 ratings)

This musical is unbelievably bad, almost laughably so. The music is great, but the staging is distracting: the obtrusive video takes attention away from the dancing, which is probably okay because the choreography is so unexciting. And the plot? Forget it - it's like it was written by a 3rd grader. With a leading lady named "Scaramoosh" ( ! ), i almost burst out laughing when the leading man says, "I love you, Scaramoosh." Come on. What I don't get is why this has been running so long, and the audience seemed to like it. Oh, well.

Jeff Sat Nov 24 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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I loved it! Queen fans will never be disappointed.In fact, why should others go and comment????

Mara Wed May 23 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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As someone who likes Queen and likes musicals I have to say this was AWFUL. They were so busy trying to shoehorn in knowing pop culture references, innuendo and 'jokes' they forgot to make anything or anyone in it likeable. This crass, shouty production just serves to highlight that the effortless showmanship of Freddie Mercury was a rare, rare thing indeed.

Sophie Tue May 15 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Good

kk Mon Feb 13 2012
Rated as: 3/5
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Good

Kailash Mon Feb 13 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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brilliant show, a must for queen fans. Great performance by Galileo, loved the jokes by 'Curly'. A really lovely theatre.

chris Tue Jan 31 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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seeing it for the second ime this year with me ole mucka lynette...bring it on...love it.

Aj Thu May 19 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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We Will Rock You

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We Will Rock You 2013

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