Written at a time before the iPhone (can you imagine!), the musical tells the story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion and live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and acts the same. It was written as a view of the ‘future’ and we couldn’t help thinking as the show progressed, how so many of the jokes and jibes at what the internet might bring to our lives, have already come true… and not in such a good way!
Ben Elton’s book, whilst never destined to grace the stage at Stratford-Upon-Avon or the National Theatre, does what it needs to do and fills the gaps between the songs everyone has come for, with Dad-joke humour predictions of a less than perfect dystopian existence on ‘iPlanet’ (once called Earth). Considering it was penned over 20 years ago, it is rather frightening how accurate and true to modern day like some of the storyline has become. There are moments of true Elton comedy as well as moments to cringe and roll your eyes at but all in the name of good old fashioned fun.
It will come as no surprise that the show is filled bursting with hit upon hit from Queen’s song list, featuring 24 of their best-loved hits, including We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, Radio Ga Ga and the title song We Will Rock You, to name only five! Anyone who saw the original production or the proceeding tours will realise how demanding the show is on vocalists. You do wonder how they keep finding such talented performers to meet the challenges of the score. Have the leads been farmed from some rock pop academy, with iron clad vocal chords and a range to simply marvel at? We think so!