Following successful productions of The Witches of Eastwick and Sunshine on Leith, Lyric Musical Society returns to His Majesty’s Theatre with a thrilling evening of rock anthems, soaring vocals and infectious energy in their production of We Will Rock You.
Set in a dystopian future where live music has been outlawed, we follow outsider Galileo as he searches for the lost power of rock music. Alongside the rebellious Scaramouche and a group of Bohemians, he embarks on a quest to restore freedom, self-expression and the music of Queen to the world.
This production adopts an unusual approach to casting, with four of its seven principal roles – Galileo, Scaramouche, Brit and Oz are shared between two casts; the “Bohemian” and the “Yuppie”. Tonight, we were treated to the Bohemians.
Leading the Bohemian cast is Alex Donnelly as Galileo Figaro, a role that demands both rock-star vocals and an everyman charm. Donnelly rises to the challenge admirably, delivering impeccable vocals throughout, with a particularly stunning falsetto that cuts effortlessly through the score. He captures Galileo’s teenage angst, confusion and determination with real sincerity, making him an easy protagonist to invest in as he leads the charge through this larger-than-life musical.
Opposite him, Emmah Chibesakunda is a sensational Scaramouche. Brimming with attitude from her first entrance, she perfectly embodies the show’s rebellious spirit while backing it up with a thrilling vocal performance. Her belt is powerful and assured, while her sharp comic delivery ensures every sarcastic quip lands. Most importantly, her chemistry with Donnelly feels completely authentic, giving the show’s central relationship real heart amidst the spectacle.
Amanda Haggart is a force of nature as Oz. Commanding the stage with seemingly limitless energy, she throws herself into every moment, quite literally launching herself from set pieces and leading the Bohemians with infectious enthusiasm. Her standout moment comes in No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young), where her powerhouse vocals and emotional honesty combine to create one of the evening’s most memorable musical moments.
As Brit, Kenneth Lypka injects a welcome burst of energy whenever he appears. Full of beans and endlessly entertaining, he embraces the character’s eccentricity without ever tipping into caricature. His punk-rock vocal style feels entirely at home within the show’s score, while his delightfully exaggerated accent adds another layer of fun to an already charismatic performance.
Stephen Summers is excellent as Khashoggi. Despite the volume of plot-heavy dialogue, Summers never loses the character’s menacing presence, creating a villain who is both sinister and strangely entertaining. His performance of Seven Seas of Rhye is a particular highlight, delivered with commanding vocals and infectious confidence that allows him to fully revel in the character’s wickedness.
Deborah Townsend delivers a commanding performance as Killer Queen, effortlessly dominating the stage whenever she appears. She possesses the poise, control and vocal authority the role requires, balancing theatrical villainy with genuine menace. Townsend clearly relishes every moment, creating a larger-than-life antagonist whose vocals hit all the right notes while maintaining the character’s icy grip on the world around her.
Stealing more than a few scenes is Grant Ogston as Buddy. Equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, Ogston understands exactly how to pitch the role, leaning into the comedy without sacrificing its emotional core. His comic timing is exceptional, drawing some of the biggest laughs of the night, while his rendition of These Are The Days Of Our Lives proves unexpectedly moving.
Queen’s music demands not only vocal stamina but precision, power and versatility; this company consistently rises to the challenge. The ensemble is particularly impressive in the way they adapt to the show’s three distinct factions. As Bohemians, each performer brings their own unique personality and energy to the stage. In contrast, the Ga Ga Kids operate with near-military precision, perfectly spaced and synchronised, their sickeningly sweet smiles reinforcing the artificial perfection of Globalsoft’s world. The Yuppies are equally effective, moving as a single unit and creating striking stage pictures through their unified movement. The ensemble are as follows; Jordan Abberley-Nicoll, Rhianne Armstong, Andrew Begg, Ross Brechin, Leanne Caie, Jill Clark, Janey Cooper, Daniel Crozier, James Dainton, Alan Gordon, Sophie Hamilton-Pike, Jen Harper, Emma Horne, Sarah Innes, Kirsten Knight, Steph Longmuir-Smith, Megan Love, Lisa Lucas, Jennifer Lypka, Katie McConachie, Marie-Ann McLeod, Stuart Massie, Ailsa Mason, John Mitchell, Millie Morrice, Emily Reid, Tim Riley, Kyra Rostron, Joel Simpson, Rhona Smith, Sarah Smith, Sheila Smith, Mikey Stewart & Cara Sutherland.
Nobody comes to We Will Rock You expecting a nuanced plot. The show’s book has always served primarily as a vehicle for Queen’s iconic catalogue, and audiences are here for the music. Under Rhonda Scott’s direction, however, the often absurd narrative remains engaging and easy to follow. Scott ensures the relationships between the characters feel believable, allowing the audience to invest in Galileo’s journey while navigating the show’s whirlwind of dystopian satire, rebellion and rock mythology.
Victoria Cowan’s choreography captures the spirit of the production perfectly, balancing punchy rock-infused movement with striking ensemble pictures. The Yuppie numbers are particularly effective, creating sharp visuals, while the Bohemians bring an infectious energy that fills the stage. Cowan also makes excellent use of the large ensemble, ensuring the stage never feels static and creating a constant sense of momentum that drives the production forward.
Musical Director Matthew Rose faces the unenviable task of bringing one of the most recognisable catalogues in musical theatre to life, and does so with impressive assurance. Harmonies land with real impact, ensemble vocals are tight throughout, and the principal performers are given the confidence to tackle some of the band’s most demanding material. From the tenderness of the ballads to the full-throttle rock anthems, the score is handled with both care and energy, ensuring these beloved songs retain the scale and excitement audiences expect.
Equally deserving of praise is Brian Gunnee and his sound team, whose expert work ensures both the vocals and the band are balanced beautifully.
The set itself is relatively simple, relying on flown-in video walls and tiered staging upstage to create the various locations. While not especially elaborate, it provides a functional framework for the action, supplemented by several larger moving pieces, including a van and Killer Queen’s imposing throne.
The video walls add another layer to the futuristic setting, though it is not without its flaws. At times, videos appeared to glitch or disappear altogether, occasionally distracting from the action on stage. When functioning as intended, however, the visuals helped establish the show’s dystopian environment effectively.
Neil Fraser’s props add welcome detail and texture to the world, with nostalgic items such as the VHS tapes and old television proving particularly popular with the audience.
Costumes by Utopia are a standout feature of the production. The distinct visual identities of the Gaga Kids, Yuppies and Bohemians are immediately recognisable, helping to establish the social divisions at the heart of the story. While the Gaga Kids and Yuppies present a cohesive, uniform aesthetic, the Bohemians revel in individuality, sporting punk-inspired looks packed with subtle references to the history of rock music.
We Will Rock You has never been a musical that lives or dies by its plot. Instead, its success depends on its ability to celebrate Queen’s iconic music while delivering enough heart, humour and spectacle to keep audiences invested. Lyric Musical Society achieves exactly that. Supported by a talented cast, energetic choreography and strong musical direction, this production embraces the show’s larger-than-life spirit and runs with it.
For fans of Queen, there is plenty to enjoy, while newcomers will find themselves swept along by the energy, humour and undeniable power of the score. If you’re looking for a night of powerhouse vocals, infectious performances and some of the greatest rock songs ever written, then Lyric Musical Society’s We Will Rock You is well worth a visit.
“Get on your bikes and ride!” to His Majesty’s Theatre before this run comes to an end. Tickets are available here: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/we-will-rock-you/
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