The legendary rock group Queen today announced that the worldwide smash hit musical We Will Rock You will return to Australia for a national tour in 2016.
Since 2002 over 15 million theatregoers in 17 countries have been thrilled by this awe-inspiring production which is based on the songs of Queen with a book by Ben Elton (The Young Ones, Blackadder, Popcorn). Elton fashioned this hilarious futurist comedy around more than 24 of Queen’s biggest hit songs including We are the Champions, Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, Somebody To Love, Killer Queen, Don’t Stop Me Now, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and of course, We Will Rock You.
We Will Rock You reflects the scale and spectacle that marked Queen’s live performances and earned the band its pinnacle position in rock history. With Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor as music supervisors and “a band without parallel in the theatre” behind the cast, the audience can expect We Will Rock You to rock as fiercely as the best of Queen’s concerts.
“This show is all about legend,” says Ben Elton – who will direct the new Australian production. “We take the legend of Queen and create our own fantastical story of young kids battling the mighty corporations who want to suppress their individuality and their love of music. They need a hero who can help them in their struggle, and we have two – the dreamer Galileo and the sassy rock chick Scaramouche.”
Brian May said, “The amazing bonus of this show is that Ben’s script subtly works as a metaphor too. People definitely come out of the theatre feeling that in a strange way they now know us, Queen, and our struggle, our journey.”
The original Australian tour of We Will Rock You opened at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on 7 August, 2003 with a record advance, and Brian May and Roger Taylor in attendance. Australia was the first country outside the UK to produce a local version of the mega-hit musical, and the production dominated the 2004 Helpmann Awards, receiving five Helpmann Awards.
“Audiences around the world love We Will Rock You because they get the power and energy of the extraordinary music of Queen in a fun rock and roll musical, and this is especially true of Australian audiences. I can’t wait to bring this magnificent show back to Australia,” added Ben Elton.
The 2016 Australian tour of We Will Rock You will be produced by John Frost, in association with Queen Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and Tribeca Theatrical Productions.
For more information and to join the waitlist for priority bookings, visit: www.wewillrockyoutour.com.au for details.
Image: International Cast of We Will Rock You (supplied)