Penrith Musical Comedy Company: We Will Rock You - Review by Selina Wong

We Will Rock You is one of those well known musicals people love to hate but you cannot ignore its endearing charm.  

Penrith Musical Comedy Company’s production of We Will Rock You, directed by Josie Dwyer, was a feel good show that explored the struggle for freedom and creativity in a dystopian world ruled by Globalsoft Corporation. Dwyer was successful in her vision to create iPlanet- where music and individuality was forbidden. While Dwyer ensured the production paid homage to Queen and the spirit of rock music, the cast made it their own. 

Aaron Gunawickrema took on the role of Galileo, an idealistic young man determined to ‘break free’ from the constraints of iPlanet. This complex character requires a careful balance of naivety and conviction, and Gunawickrema took on the challenge with enthusiasm. He embodied the look and spirit of a ‘dreamer’ and a ‘bohemian,’ and made a strong attempt at portraying the rebellious misfit. Gunawickrema’s performance of Hammer to Fall demonstrated some vocal versatility.

Marnie Collier brought vibrant energy to the role of Scaramouche, infusing the character with feistiness, confidence, and emotional depth. Her acting delivered an impact, while her commanding vocal performance in Somebody to Love stood out as a highlight. It was particularly rewarding to witness Scaramouche’s evolution into a powerful and dynamic freedom fighter under Collier’s portrayal.

Belinda Marques as Killer Queen was hilarious and added to the ruthlessness of Globalsoft Corporation’s leader. Marques’ injected flamboyant flair, whose vocals and onstage sassiness made Another One Bites The Dust a crowd favourite. Her chemistry with Simon Dane as Khashoggi was hilarious and coupled with his slapstick and dry humour, they were both entertaining to watch. Dane’s on-stage experience was evidenced in his performance of Seven Seas Of Rhye.

Renee Bechara and Douglas Bryant who played key Bohemians Oz and Brit, were the perfect duo. Bechara’s energy and vocal range, coupled with Bryant’s rich vocals and stage presence, made I Want It All and Headlong so engaging. I was disappointed when Brit was killed off, as I wanted to see more of him. My personal favourite was Craig Wynn-Jones as Buddy. Wynn-Jones was perfectly cast as the rock historian, mentor and comic relief whose on-stage presence was significant in the second half of the show. These Are The Days Of Our Lives exhibited Wynn-Jones’ vast stage experience and significant influence on the chorus. 

Congratulations to Tara Lawson on her choreographic debut. Lawson’s inventive choreography showcased a diverse range of dance styles, contrasting the rigid movements of the clones with the expressive energy of the freedom-fighting Bohemians. Musical Director Nathan Murphy skillfully led the band through a dynamic and demanding setlist, successfully capturing the iconic sound of Queen. A standout moment was the lead guitarist's entrance during the final number, which added a powerful and memorable touch to the show's conclusion.

A noticeable addition was the inclusion of some members from the junior cast who were absolutely adorable. They assist the bohemians and try to wake them up from their “brain drain”. 

The stage featured two prominent set pieces that successfully transported the audience between the underground Heartbreak Hotel and the headquarters of Globalsoft Corporation. The lighting design was particularly striking during the Killer Queen segments, with the laser-style effects used during the capture of the Bohemians providing a standout visual moment. One criticism I have with the staging is that sometimes I don’t think the rounded seating was as considered as it could have been. For example, in the finale, the grand reveal of the guitar was lost on everyone sitting to one side of the stage as it was completely blocked by the flat.  Additionally, this  is a long show with as many Queen songs packed into it as possible and so slow transitions really add up and can affect the rhythm and pace of a production, so I really encourage the cast and crew to try and tighten these so that audiences can really appreciate the hard work they are putting on stage.  Opening nights are never perfect, with technical hitches and nerves, which will be ironed out with time.

While We Will Rock You may not resonate with everyone, the die-hard Queen fans seated nearby were clearly delighted by the abundance of rock puns and the powerful renditions of Queen’s iconic songs.