What’s On? Production Company has announced it will present We Will Rock You – the smash-hit musical written by Ben Elton and featuring the iconic music of Queen at Costa Hall, Geelong, in February 2027.
Delivering an unforgettable fusion of rock, powerhouse vocals and futuristic fun, We Will Rock You is set in a world where live music is banned and individuality is a crime – and follows a group of rebellious bohemians fighting to bring back real rock ‘n’ roll to the people.
Featuring 24 of Queen’s greatest hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, Somebody to Love, and We are the Champions, this high-energy spectacle is a celebration of freedom, music and the enduring legacy of the greatest band of all time!
“This production is about community, creativity and connection,” says Paul Watson, artistic director for What’s On? Production Company. “By combining both professional talent with passionate local emerging performers, we believe we’re able to create a show locally in Geelong that truly rocks! – both on and off the stage.”
The pro/am model brings together experienced industry professionals and talented local performers, offering not only Geelong audiences a show that rivals major metropolitan productions while supporting the regions ever growing creative community, but by also providing great and unique opportunities for local performers to share the costa hall stage with, and learn from, experienced musical theatre professionals and practitioners in a mentoring capacity.
“We are very excited to present this unique production with a deep leaning towards celebrating the musical legacy of queen” says Mr. Watson. “And in particular celebrating the grand and epic proportions that Freddie, Brian, Roger and John injected into their music both live and in the studio.”
“To do this we have a few surprises but the one we are most excited about is the planned incorporation of the ‘We Will Rock You choir’ which we hope can be made up of many local singers, to help raise the roof and lift the volume to 11!”
The creative team for this production will be made up of mostly local creatives including local director, Paul Watson. Paul recently returned from touring Australia and Asia in the international tour of Wicked, as Father Frex, before ending up in the dual contracted role of Dr. Dillamond and The Wizard of Oz in South Korea.
Local theatre choreographer Venessa Paech joins with Nathan Firmin, returning to Geelong as musical director. This team has worked together on several celebrated musical theatre productions in Victoria including Jersey Boys, The Boy from Oz and We Will Rock You and are excited to be bringing this theatrical experience to the Geelong stage.
“I’m excited to be home,” says Paul Watson, “Now feels like a great time to bring something really epic to Geelong and with Wicked finishing it’s international tour, I’d love to focus on something grand and celebratory for Geelong musical theatre audiences, our amazing tribute band fans and all our local performers, dancers, singers and musicians to enjoy.”
More information, including auditions and casting announcements will be revealed soon.
We Will Rock You will play at Costa Hall, Geelong, on 26 & 27 February 2027, for a strictly limited one-weekend season. Tickets for Geelong Arts Centre members are now on sale Monday 27 July with general access from August 2026. For more information, visit: www.geelongartscentre.org.au for details.
Image: We Will Rock You (supplied)