Thats what they said 30 years ago and indeed they still rock. I’m talking about the rock band Queen, whose songs were repackaged in 2002 into a musicalWe will rock you.

We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by English comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor. The story takes place in a tongue-in-cheek dystopian future where originality and individualism are shunned, and a lone “Dreamer” appears who can fulfill a prophecy that will enable the return of rock ‘n roll. - Wikipedia

The original London production premiered on May 14, 2002 at the Dominion Theatre. The show is currently still playing there, where it recently celebrated its 5th year anniversary. This speaks volumes about how awesome the play is.

Plot: The story is set in the future (Earth is called as ‘Planet Mall’) around 2300 AD, a time when the world is governed by a totalitarian mega corp called Globalsoft. ‘Killer Queen’ heads the corporation that enforces all citizens of Plant Mall to listen to computer generated music and lead a conformist life devoid of individual freedoms. Predictably, there is a tribe of rebel ‘Bohemians’, who aim to bring freedom symbolised by rock n’ roll music back to planet Mall. However, all music instruments have been banned, anyone suspected of having a rebellious thought is quickly captured into submission. Finally, there will emerge a messiah ‘Galileo’ who will crush the killer Queen.

Watch this video please. Repeat. Watch this video;):

About 26 songs (all by Queen of course) weave this 3-hour musical together. The number might sound intimidating, but the songs were quite apt and wonderfully performed (as you might see in the preview). At the end they left the audience craving for more. As a wannabe artist myself, I couldn’t but express my awe at the amount of hours the guys put in to create this wonder.

This was the first time I saw a western musical and I had goosebumps till the next day. If you happen to be in a city where they are playing, DO NOT miss it

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2)
• YorkU Fine Arts Festival (2)
• Umrao Jaan (6)
• Sahi re Sahi (6)
• Return of the supermen (9)

It had been a long time since I read William [tag]Shakespeare[/tag]’s romantic comedy - ‘A [tag]Midsummer Night’s Dream[/tag]‘. Yesterday I saw the play at the Canadian Stage ([tag]Canstage[/tag]) season. The show runs daily at High Park, in an open-to-air setting.

I’d read the play centuries ago and I had to read the plot summary yesterday again to revive the whole thing. I hadn’t seen it being performed live before, so I was really excited. My favorite character, [tag]Puck[/tag] (Robin Goodfellow servant to Oberon, King of fairies) was played amazingly by this dude whose name I unfortunately don’t know. His closing speech was delivered perfectly:
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

The rest of the characters were also outstanding. I loved the way the director blended Caribbean hip hop, synthesizer music, cellphones and skateboards into the play. It was done in a way that didn’t offend my friend who usually swears at anything that is a fusion (especially old Hindi songs that are remixed), so I have a reason to believe that it was a remarkable balance. Being an open stage, people arrived early and grab strategically advantageous places. I was late to arrive, barely 2 minutes before the play started (don’t blame me, I’m new to the city) but I found a place in the very first row (my friends were just a row behind). It was so close to the stage that I thought I was a part of the play! Bruce has more interesting things to say.

I have no clue how anyone could remember Shakespeare’s lines. But then, these guys perform daily, and for weeks together. I bet their conversational English is also affected! There is indeed no better reward for a stage performer than the audience giving a thunderous applause. I thought I could clearly see a sense of achievement and satisfaction in the eyes of all characters when they saw us clapping and cheering.

Looking forward to more events this summer, this one was awesome

• We will rock you (8)
• YorkU Fine Arts Festival (2)
• Umrao Jaan (6)
• Sahi re Sahi (6)
• Return of the supermen (9)

Artwork in Accolade East building which houses the faculty of Fine Arts, [tag]York University[/tag], Toronto.



Another picture here

• YorkU Fine Arts Festival (2)
• We will rock you (8)
• Sahi re Sahi (6)
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2)