"We Will Rock You" by Queen and Ben Elton.

Kristian Thomas Collective.

Derby Theatre.

Written by Queen and Ben Elton, the musical tells the story of a globalized future without musical instruments. The year is 2300 and a handful of rock rebels, the Bohemians, fight against the all-powerful Globalsoft company and its boss, the Killer Queen; they fight for freedom, individuality and the rebirth of the age of rock.

Scaramouche and Galileo, two young outsiders, cannot come to terms with the bleak reality. They join the Bohemians and embark on the search to find the unlimited power of freedom, love and Rock! Oh, and the last buried musical instruments, just to make sure that rock music can be reborn.

The musical includes around 24 of Queens finest hits such as "Radio GaGa", "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "I Want It All", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Flash", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Under Pressure", "Seven Seas Of Rhye" and of course, "We Will Rock You".

It was my privilege to watch the dress rehearsal of the show on Tuesday afternoon, before the show opened on Tuesday night, and what a production it is. It was also fascinating to see, and hear the checks the sound operator goes through before the show started, what an education on my part.

 It is always good to see Curtis Salmon return to the stage, and he does so in style as Galileo, Galileo Figaro, to give him his full title. In between running his business Curtis likes to return to the stage, and picks his shows very carefully, and this role and show highlights many things. First his ability as a leading man is exemplary, he combines the comedic elements of the character with the gentle romantic parts of Galileo. His vocals have never sounded better and Curtis shows what a great voice for rock music he has, sometimes gentle, the next full out rock. It always seems a treat to see Curtis in a musical, because it now only happens so rarely, the last time I think must have been in 2024 when he took the role of Tunny in "American Idiot". I hope it's not another two years before we see Curtis tread the boards again.

Scaramouche, Galileo's sidekick, is played by Alana Fay Moran. This show is full of treats and Alana is another sweet treat. I love the Essex style accent that she has given to Scaramouche, a direct opposite to Galileo's soft RP accent - well they do say opposites attract do they not? Alana and Curtis's vocals blend so lovely as well in both the rockier numbers like "Hammer To Fall" as well as the softer rock ballads. Love Alana's comedy side in this show and also the chemistry that she has with Curtis on stage.

Killer Queen, who is the Globalsoft leader as well as the iPlanet, has done everything to make sure that the planet is free of proper musical instruments, or so she thinks, but she didn't quite beat The Bohemians and The Dreamers. Killer Queen is played by Hilary Leam (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Evening) and Tiffany Jackson (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Matinee), who delivers a very sassy version of "Another One Bites The Dust". In dress rehearsal I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing Tiffany's performance and what a performer and singer Tiffany is. I had the pleasure of hearing her sing a section accapella fir the sound test, and that bit straight away made me sit up and listen, but during the show Tiff shows what an incredible soul infused, gospelly set of vocals she owns, delivered with attitude and fun. I love this woman's voice! And I must mention the gorgeous costume she wears throughout, shiny sci fi sass, what a design. Tiffany proves that being evil can be great fun!

Khashoggi is the leader of the Globalsoft officers, whose only purpose is to rid the iPlanet of proper music, and that includes anyone who tries to stop him from doing his job, and is played by Stephen Mura. Stephen has one of those voices that demands you listen to, and what a falsetto range he has. Khashoggi is played with a brilliant posh accent, pronouncing "ass" as "arse", and that adds another topping of comedy to this panto style villain.

Buddy, who is a former librarian, so has read everything there is to read about real music. He has to escape the Globalsoft police and Kashoggi in order to help Galileo and Scaramouche. Buddy is played by Gary Peake. Buddy injects a lot of the comedy into this above average jukebox musical and Gary as a comedy character actor is second to none.

Laura Spencer plays Oz and really shone with her focused song "Only The Good Die Young". Oz, along with stage partner Brit, is looking to save the world from the restrictions laid down by Globalsoft and to keep "real" music alive.

Zak Charlesworth plays Brit, the "biggest, baddest psycho killer that ever got down funky", adds to the comedy, and with Oz, is responsible for bringing Galileo and Scaramouche to the Bohemians. This has to be the role that is so far removed from anything else that I can remember Zak taking on in the past, and shows what a flexible performer he really is. Brit, or Britney Spears, is like one of those over enthusiastic puppies that just want to please their masters. Zak has always said that he's not much of a dancer but here he has quite a bit of choreography to perform and does so brilliantly. The vocal technique is also different to a lot of what Zak has done in the past and that is also nice to hear. And he also suits comedy characters very well also. I've seen Zak many times over the years and have seen him wear some great wigs in his time, but this one for Brit has to be the best.

The four Teen Queens, who sound like they have just stepped off the bus from "The Only Way Is Essex" are played by Amy Wicks, Ashleigh Dudson, Ellie Simmonds and Poppy Cook. Brilliant fun and full of character.

A superb ensemble, and when they all sing as an ensemble the power and strength is awesome. Emily Corner, Gabby Sculthorpe, Giacomo Ciccognani, Jane Magee, Joanne Kay, Laura Diamond- Jones, Liam Ellis, Lydia Thacker, Matt Powell, Abbie Faulkner, Adela Green, Amy Wicks Ashleigh Dudson, Becky Pearcy, Betsymae Kirkland-Ball, who is also Dance Captain, Bethany Neville, Charleigh Hurst, Claire Collishaw, Ellie Simmonds, Molly Parkinson, Matthew Lawson, Natalie Weetman, Poppy Cook, Sinead Parkin, Shannon O'Donnell, Sophie Lowe, Wendy Austen-Giddings.

Directed by Alysha Gomes , this production is full on, and elevates the story above the standard jukebox musical. It uses sections of the original Queen songs which makes them sound less of a karaoke session and more of an affectionate tribute to Freddie and Queen. Each character played by the Ensemble members were also memorable alongside the main characters. Again, there were a couple of things that I noticed seemed fresh and new about the musical, and I loved the inclusion of Dolly Parton's name among the list of legendary musicians recounted in the Bohemian's rock n roll Hall Of Fame.

Choreographed by Kristian Cunningham. I don't really need to say more because there has never been a musical that Kristian has choreographed that has not been of the highest standard, and this is yet another to add to his choreographical CV. It's exciting, it's wonderfully staccato in parts and most of all it's incredibly entertaining.

Musical Director and keyboard Queen is Charlotte Daniel. Queen songs, like Abba songs, are not the easiest to sing, mainly due to the harmonies, but this cast, under the musical direction of Charlotte, did a cracking job of this show, and showed anyone who didn't know what brilliant performers they are, just what brilliant performers they are. Charlotte heads up a powerful sounding band made up of Gabryl Oleshko (Keys), Rob Hill (Guitar), Jake Shelton (Bass), Andy Shelton (Drums) and Millie Gilks (Tambourine). The music of Queen, like Freddie is full of drama and Charlotte and Alysha have brought that drama out in the music and the staging.

The set design, by Proscenium, is stark at times, but that is how I would imagine the world to be like, clean cut and full of precision, nothing out of place. It's a two tier staging which leaves the main part of the stage free for the main action while background action, like the brainwashing of the Bohemians can be carried out on the upper level, again making for a clean stage setting. 

There's a lovely video design over this setting which brings Freddie back to life as we see and hear him in part of "Bohemian Rhapsody". This design is thanks to Matt Powell. 

Sound design is by Harry Greatorex and Lighting Design by Stephen Greatorex with Jamie Vella as Lighting Associate. Both areas bring the vision and sound of this futuristic epic to glorious life. the sound is always brilliant at Derby Theatre because the acoustics are perfect, and the lighting brings excitement to the show. Together the Greatorex Brothers put the Great into the creative side of theatre. 

Follow Spots are not the easiest of lighting to operate and get right, but in the hands of Oscar Drake and Gabriella Tilley, they make sure that everyone who should be are highlighted as they should be. 

Carol Lawson is Props Manager and part of the Technical Crew who are Tom Hopcroft and Lucy Young.

I touched on just how good the wigs are in this show and they really are. Khashoggi, Brit etc are completely transformed by these hairy works of art, and that is all down to Lauren Honeysett's wig designs.

The costumes are equally out of this world. The cast is huge and every cast member is adorned with some brilliant, and at times fantastically outlandish costumes from the needle of Jan Brockhurst, but the piece de resistance just has to be the costume for Killer Queen. 

This show is not just a show for Queen fans, this show is for fans of amazing music, and the story is not too shabby either. A stark warning to all internet freaks who may just be losing touch with the real world, as well as real music. It's also sends out a message that being yourself and being different is no bad thing, fitting in with the "status quo" is not always the option to go with, and just to enjoy who you are; at the end of the day we are all different and we all have a tale to tell, and this musical gives you permission to be the person you want to be and do what you want to do.

A jukebox musical with a strong message and story, full of some of the best rock anthems ever made by one of the best bands in the history of music, performed by an outstandingly talented cast of human beings.

There's also a BSL signed show on Thursday 29 October, signed by Sebastian Probert.

“We Will Rock You” is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 31 October. Prepared to be well and truly rocked!