Astravaganza Entertainment's production of We Will Rock You at O2 City Hall in Newcastle delighted fans across a nearly sold-out run, bringing classic Queen anthems to the stage over two nights of rock and roll action.
Attending night one, this was the first time the reviewer had seen the Queen-heavy jukebox musical on stage. Despite being familiar with the show as a theatre enthusiast, it proved a sparkling introduction, with audiences thrust directly into the action as the foot never came off the gas pedal. Song after song, the pace of the story kept attendees on their toes.
Standout Performances and Cast Highlights
Led by Danny Emmerson-Ducasse, who previously shone in principal roles in Beauty & The Beast and Nativity!, his Mercury-inspired vocals provided a "bright shining star" through the whole show. He was paired with newcomer Sophie Begg, whose comedic levity carried many scenes, though her vocals were occasionally less strong than some other cast members in the performance reviewed.
Deborah Taylor-Smith returned as Buddy, bringing her own twist to the traditionally male role, with the reviewer praising gender-blind casting for adding rambunctious charm to the stage. Betty Thunderthighs (Shaun Silk) stood out as Killer Queen, bringing ruthless humour that enraptured the audience, following her win as Drag Idol UK champion. Ben Allan and Penny Carse played bohemian lovebirds Brit and Oz, with Carse's No One But You (Only the Good Die Young) a standout solo.
Direction and Staging Observations
Director David Ducasse, who first directed We Will Rock You at The Sage Gateshead with former student Jade Thirlwall as Scaramouche, demonstrated his casting talent for this run. However, the reviewer noted that some songs had choreography that lacked a little, though brilliant ensemble numbers allowed young talent to thrive.
On the production side, the reliance on computer-generated visuals on screens behind the actors made the performance feel more like a concert than a stage show. At £40+ a ticket, while the money was worth it for the performances, it wasn't worth it for the staging. A more traditional approach to stage scenery and props would have been appreciated, with only a handful used throughout. Stunning lighting work from Dan Searley helped make up for this, though an overzealous fog machine occasionally heavily obscured the stage.
Overall Verdict
Overall, it's another great Astravaganza Entertainment production, though the reviewer left wondering if We Will Rock You was the right show for this cast. While there were standout moments, other productions in the past showed the company firing on all cylinders much more. Despite the official rating being 3, the reviewer noted it's definitely at least a 3.5 in their book, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a great night out. The reviewer looks forward to seeing what the company conjures up next and will be seated at their next show.
