We Will Rock You - 10 years and still going strong!
Posted on 22 June 2012
What is the enduring popularity of We Will Rock You? Celebrating it's 10th year annivesary this 14th May, the show continues to be an audience favourite. Last year it won the Olivier Audience Award for most popular show as voted for by the audience beating off stiff competition from the likes of Les Miserables, Billy Elliot and Jersey Boys.
Apart from the continuing popularity in the West End at the Dominion Theatre - unmissable on the Tottenham Court Road with it's giant golden statue of Freddie Mercury above the entrance, there is a UK tour there has been productions around the world in Australasia, Japan, Spain, North America, Russia, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Norway and Belgium. The music of super rock group Queen continues to be huge influence around the world via the show with the familiar and much loved songs drawing in the crowds.
So if are looking for a musical to see and want to know what the ordinary theatre goer has to say about the show, rather than relying on the (sometimes snobby) critics...read on!
Here are what some who attended the show had to say on BroadwayBox.com:
"We first saw the show in September 2007 and it was marvelous. On May 31, 2011, I came back to London this time with my 2 oldest teenage daughters from Colorado to see their first musical on the West End. Although much of the cast has changed, the entire production was even better this time around with an expanded score and storyline. The show runs now over 3 hours and it's funnier than ever and more captivating than before".
"The music, ensemble, sets, costumes, story, acting, etc. were all superb. One word can describe this show INTENSITY - you are ROCKED like never before."
"The last time I saw this show as a family ages 6 to 70 years old. How fantastic it was all nine of us watched with awe it was brilliant. Vocally the cast was faultless, obviously the music is second to none as it was from the legendary QUEEN. This was the fifth time i have seen it and I would still watch it over and over given the opportunity. My kids still ask to go back and see it again."
"For two years an office colleague has been driving me crazy by playing Queen all the time (and I mean constantly). The guy has every record they ever made (including the live versions), so when my girlfriend dragged me over to see the show I have to admit I was less than thrilled. But in the end I was surprised, the show was really good! The music was great, and the background story was also interesting".
How does We Will Rock You compare in terms of longevity in comparison to other West End musicals? Well it still has some way to go to catch up with Phantom Of The Opera and Les Miserables who have both passed their 25th Year Annivesaries. Currently We Will Rock You is in 7th place as longest running musical. Number one is Les Miserables in it's 27th year, Number two is Phantom in it's 26th year, Blood Brothers in it's 24th year, Chicago in it's 15th year, Mamma Mia and Lion King in their 13th year.
The show may not have met with the greatest reviews from the critics on it's opening but they have now eaten their words after the paying public whether it be in the West End or a theatre near you are continuing to sing and dance to We Will Rock You around the world!