A Reflection: We Will Rock You!

Musical theatre junkies were forced into mourning last week as it was announced that beloved West End staple‘We Will Rock You’ is set to close after 12 years. In tribute to the game changing show, I wanted to take the time to reflect on what made ‘We Will Rock You’ such a fan favourite.

After 12 years, ‘We Will Rock You’ is closing. The show was originally written by Ben Elton and is a jukebox musical; a production framed around the songs of a popular music act. In this case, it was obviously Queen.

 It became the longest running show at the Dominion Theatre and was one of the biggest West End exports of the last decade. People everywhere love it (I’m not going to reveal how many times I’ve been to see it, let’s just say it runs into the double figures.) So what was it about the show that so entranced audiences?

For anyone who’s being living under a rock, the show tells the story of a dystopian future where all music everywhere is banned. As a band of true bohemians lead the struggle to restore fashion, live music and freedom of thought to the world in which they live, we watch the characters learn, love and grow.

Not surprisingly as a jukebox musical of a band of which some members survive, two of those members, Brian May and Roger Taylor soundtracked the production. It meant that we got Queen classics such as ‘Another One Bites the Dust,’ ‘Radio Gaga’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in musical theatre form.

It’s been phenomenally successful; it’s been seen by an estimated 16 million people. However it was actually never a favourite of the critics. When it was first released the Mirror famously declared that “Ben Elton should be shot” for ever putting pen to paper.

So why has it proved so enduring? The plot certainly plays a part in it. As human beings, we have a certain attachment to music; it brings out something in us that nothing else does. The idea of it being taken away seems gut wrenching and it makes us connect with the characters.

However this is one case where I would say the music outshines everything. Those Queen songs are loved by so many people and I think ‘We Will Rock You’ was so successful because it provided the audience with a new way of listening to and interpreting them.

‘We Will Rock You’ reminds us of the power of the jukebox musical. Like ‘Mama Mia’ before it, people went in wanting to be entertained in a new way by the songs they’ve loved for years. That is why everybody is so sad that the sun has finally set on ‘We Will Rock You.’

Read More

Why is Defying Gravity the Ultimate Modern Broadway Show Tune?

Considering my love of modern classic musical ‘Wicked,’ it should be no surprise that I believe that the production’s signature song, ‘Defying Gravity,’ is the ultimate modern Broadway show tune. Let me present my case.

I realise, Simon Morris readers, that this is a hotly contested topic and that many would contest the argument. The last 50 years has seen numerous shows produce iconic numbers and classics such as ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,’ ‘Memory,’ ‘Electricity,’ ‘I’ll Cover You’ and a thousand more are serious contenders for this title.

However I would contend that ‘Defying Gravity’ beats them all, and not for the reason you think. I would argue that it is the ultimate modern Broadway show tune because of the impact it has had on audiences and performers.

Of course Defying Gravity is a technically brilliant song and it bears all the hallmarks of a classic. It is a defiance anthem that comes at the end of the first half of the musical. The lead character, Elphaba, has just realised that every single dream she had was based on a lie and the song is basically her ‘screw you’ moment as she literally and figuratively defies gravity.

In a theatre it’s a real treat to watch. The number itself is full of fierce lyrics that resonate because we’ve all had that moment in our lives where we take that first brave step in going against what society expects of us. It has amazingly big belts and the production is immense as Elphaba rises up on a podium and looks like she is actually defying gravity.

However other modern Broadway anthems hold similar characteristics. ‘Electricity’ is every bit as defiant. ‘Memory’ is every bit as vocally stunning, if more melancholy. ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ is just as emotionally honest. ‘I’ll Cover You’ is equally as inspiring. However I would argue that none of the aforementioned tracks combine these elements in quite the same way that ‘Defying Gravity’ does.

This shows in the legacy the song has left. It’s a standard these days, not just of the musical theatre industry but of the entertainment industry as a whole. Everybody from Broadway starlets to TV alums to Pop divas has tried their hand at the song and that is because it is probably one of, if not the, most relatable number ever produced on a Broadway stage.

In conclusion, I believe I have presented a strong case to suggest that ‘Defying Gravity’ is the modern ultimate Broadway show tune. This is not because of each of its individually great elements but because the combination of those elements has captured an entire generation of performers. 

Read More

Why Madonna Really Was the Perfect Choice for Evita

One of the biggest questions people ask when talking about musicals that have been made into movies is one I want to address today. Was Madonna really right for the part of Evita?

As a fan of the film I have to say that she was. I know that this is a hotly contested opinion so I’ll start with why the reasons people think she shouldn’t have taken the role aren’t that important.

The big issue is obviously the vocal ability. Madonna does not have the range, by far, of original Evita, Patti Lupone. However movie musicals inherently require less belting; after all belting is for theatres so people at the back can hear. The movie medium means this isn’t necessary (see Anne Hathaway and ‘I dreamed a dream.’

The other issue is Madonna’s acting ability, which has often been called into question in the past. However I would contest that Madonna wasn’t really acting so much as bringing an element of her own personality forward for the role.

There’s a reason that Madonna won a Golden Globe for the role. I believe this was because the material girl could identify with the role of Eva Peron. In acting if you can find a bit of yourself in the role it makes it a whole lot easier.

We all know that Madonna is probably one of the most ambitious women on the planet. Eva Peron was too. This innate thirst for success has seen both women establish reputations for pushing the boundaries no matter the cost. Both women are often considered both saints and sinners.

I also believe that Madonna’s ability as a performer did her credit. No one knows how to put on a show like her. Have you ever been to one of her live shows? From start to finish you fall under a trance as she seduces you into her world. She brought this skill and flare for the dramatic to the role of Eva Peron and you could see it shine through right from the first note of ‘Eva Beware of the City.’

This highlights a key point, Simon Morris readers, about how to turn musicals into movies. You have to believe what you’re seeing on screen. This is why Madonna was the perfect choice for Evita; she made us believe the story.

Read More