We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical based on the songs of Queen and tells the story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to revive live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and acts the same.
The show is one of the longest-running musical in West End history with the London production closing in May 2014. A number of international productions have since followed the original meaning We Will Rock You has been seen in six of the world's continents.
This production, performed by Bilston Operatic, once again confirms my belief that the word 'amateur' should never be associated with local groups - and certainly not with those from the West Midlands. We have some of the most incredible talent within our borders and what we saw on stage this evening only reinforced that.
Connor Welch puts in a stellar performance as Galileo supported by his leading lady, Scaramouche, played by Laura Pugh. The chemistry, punctuated by Pugh's brilliant deadpan humour, is absolutely spot on and makes for compelling viewing. Stacey Lovett takes on the role of Killer Queen and doesn't disappoint - it's a part which has been portrayed by a long list of West End diva's, and Lovett gave the performance of her life this evening.
However, for me, tonight's show was stolen by one single performance.
I always judge a production of We Will Rock You on the quality of 'No One But You' which, in the context of this show, is one of the most perfect songs in any jukebox musical and epitomises the entire story. We Will Rock You has commanded some big names over the years, but Kerry Ellis's version of this song in the original West End production is quite simply exceptional and I have never found one that compares...until tonight.
Stacey Smith's performance - as Oz in general, but in particular of this song - was spine tingling. There were people throughout the auditorium trying to rub the goosebumps off their arms and as one person said to me after the show, you'd happily pay the ticket price to listen to that song on repeat. It was phenomenal.
We Will Rock You runs at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre until 3rd October. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk.
