I have become a regular attendee at Script Youth Musical Theatre Company productions, therefore, combining them with the music of Queen was just a win-win situation for me.
We Will Rock You — The music of Queen with a script by Ben Elton has been doing the rounds for ages now and when I first saw it professionally a couple of years back, I was underwhelmed by Elton’s book. Now, this production was a youth edition, adapted by Marc Tumminelli, and as a result, some of the more padded out dialogue had been cut. So, in contrast to those professionals in 2022, Script’s offering flowed seamlessly throughout.
Plot. A not so far distant future where music and people’s minds have been eradicated by control of the internet. It is therefore up to a few rebellious youths to re-discover the lost genres of music. And it’s rock music, not just any old music. Favourite lines of the show:
We can do it a cappella if necessary. NO! It’s never necessary.
Kian Haden had the massive job of taking on Galileo and was out of this world, and the same can be said for Aimie Whillis playing Scaramouche. The duet of Who Wants to Live Forever was sublime. Both leads were strong in every department. Then, equally supporting well was Louise Heard as Killer Queen, delivering a powerful rendition of Another One Bites the Dust. Completing the bad guys was Finlay Laidlaw as Khashoggi who gave a truly villainous performance, up with the best. Seven Seas of Rhye was outstanding.
Evie Rice was Ozzy alongside Sam McCormack in the role of Brit. Both teamed up for an incredible outing for I Want it All. Completing the frontline principals was Ruby Edmonds who showed she had moved into a different league twelve months on from School of Rock where she learned guitar for that show. Guitar solos were extremely good, including a classic in the finale of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Massive credit must also go to the fantastic dancers under the choreography team of Mollie Chamberlain and Maddie Fleming. Script’s dancers are always perfect with innovative ideas and delivery. These were Lexie Shaw, Lewis Ward-Bygrave, Izzy Round, Lola Weir-Phillips, Francesca Roberts, and Darci Rice.
Completing the cast were Calvin Gunnharrold (Ringo), Corey Mayne (Michael), Mya Cartwright (Aretha), Ollie Dawes (P Puff Diddy Daddy), Jess Lewis (Sixx), Lilah Edmonda (Bruce), Zachariah Scrivens (Paul), Daniel George (Guard), Dean Donnelly (Guard), Molly Fitzpatrick (Quatro) and Nevada Grizzle-Francis (Teen Queen).
My favourite number of the night was No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young). And that’s where I went all emotional. You see, nothing breaks me. Well, barely anything, anyway. But beautiful vocals going with screen images of dear departed rock legends got me. I was wavering throughout, seeing Bolan, Bowie, and Kurt Cobain, and then Taylor Hawkins appeared on screen, and I was gone.
I could not see a band, or anything credited for music in the programme, so I assume backing tracks were used. Not always easy but the vocals were brilliant. I must also commend the wonderful costumes, credited to the wardrobe exploits of Jo Rice and Vicky Round. Overall, a production up with anything I have seen from Script so far, and anywhere else, for that matter. Producer, Louise Farmer can be well proud of her cast and crew. Here’s to the next one.
Cheers.
Antony N Britt
*Photos taken from social media and originally produced by Studio 55 Photography.










































