A star-studded gala performance marked 10 years of guitar-thrashing, foot-stomping, hand-clapping rock in the West End yesterday, with the 10th birthday party of We Will Rock You.
Producer and Hollywood star Robert De Niro was among the audience members who cheered, waved, screamed and danced their way through the production that first brought the iconic rock songs of Brit band Queen to the Dominion theatre in May 2002.
Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, Blue star Antony Costa, Olivier Award-winning writer and comedian Tim Minchin, tennis player Pat Cash and the original cast of the hit show were also in the audience to join the celebrations.
Speaking at the curtain call, after he had joined the cast on stage to perform Bohemian Rhapsody, Brian May said: “A show like this does not do what it’s done without some very exceptional people. I just want to say thank you to everybody who’s helped along the way in the last 10 years.”
The Ben Elton-scripted show is set on a futuristic planet where individuality and imagination is banned and the population all listen to the same, mass-produced, mass-marketed music. A small group of rebels, the Bohemians, keep alive the stories and myths that one day a saviour will appear to find the legendary instrument hidden by rock God Queen and lead them into a better world.
Joining May on stage at the curtain call, Elton, who also directs the show, added: “Imagine as a writer the moment when I was offered the chance to create a narrative environment for some of the most popular music ever created; my greatest debt is to the four members of Queen, John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, and the two men who have become truly close dear friends and brothers, Brian May and Roger Taylor.
“Working on We Will Rock You has been one of the great joys of my life and something that has been incredibly special and brought huge happiness to me, not least because it has offered me the chance to share in the extraordinary artistry of so many incredible talents here in London and worldwide over the years.
“I have had a chance over many years to share with many audiences, as I have done tonight, the extraordinary and unique joy of live theatre.”
Since it first strummed a power chord at the Dominion, We Will Rock You has been seen by six million people in the West End and 13 million people around the world. The show, which includes songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, It’s A Kind Of Magic, Radio Gaga and Under Pressure confirmed its popularity last year when it won the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award.
We Will Rock You is taking part in Get Into London Theatre summer 2012, offering reduced price tickets between 21 June and 8 September. Tickets must be booked by 31 May. Book now!