We Will Rock You performed by TMTC at the Northwich Memorial Hall was an electrifying triumph from start to finish. From the moment the auditorium doors opened on opening night, there was an undeniable buzz of excitement throughout the packed venue, with audiences eagerly awaiting a night of Queen’s legendary rock anthems brought spectacularly to life. What followed was a breathtaking production that delivered visually, vocally, and emotionally on every level.
Written by Ben Elton and featuring the iconic music of Queen, We Will Rock You tells the story of a dystopian future where individuality and live music have been banned by the all-powerful Globalsoft corporation. Musical instruments are forbidden, originality is crushed, and society is controlled by conformity. At the heart of the story is Galileo, a dreamer and outsider determined to rediscover the lost power of rock music and bring freedom back to the world. Alongside the rebellious Scaramouche and the Bohemians, Galileo embarks on a thrilling journey to restore music, hope, and identity.
Under the direction and production of Ben Ireson, this production was nothing short of sensational. Huge credit must also go to musical director Michael J Scott and choreographer Ceris Shadwell, whose creative vision elevated this show to an outstanding professional standard.
Leading the company was Connor J Ryan as Galileo, and what a performance it was. Galileo is a quirky, misunderstood dreamer whose love of music and determination to stand out make him the unlikely hero of the story. Ryan was magnificent in the role, commanding the stage from the very first moment he appeared. His vocals were exceptionally strong, effortlessly handling Queen’s notoriously demanding score, while his stage presence was captivating throughout. Having seen him perform before, it is clear that he is an incredibly versatile performer and an absolute pleasure to watch. He truly is an all-round leading man with charisma, energy, and emotional depth, carrying the production with confidence and style.
Alongside him, Dani Fray was phenomenal as Scaramouche. Scaramouche is sarcastic, rebellious, and wonderfully eccentric, and Fray captured every aspect perfectly. Her vocals were equally stunning, matching Ryan note for note, and together the pair created exceptional chemistry on stage. Their performances felt natural, heartfelt, and exciting, making them a superb leading partnership.
Claire Cannon was absolutely stunning as Killer Queen. The character is glamorous yet a ruthless ruler of the iPlanet, who is determined to maintain control over society and destroy individuality. Cannon embodied the role flawlessly with crystal-clear vocals, commanding stage presence, and brilliant comic timing. She was an absolute pleasure to watch every time she stepped onto the stage. It is genuinely hard to believe she is not a west end performer given the professionalism and polish she brought to the role, although her impressive list of previous theatrical credits clearly reflects her experience and talent.
Andy Dolan brought warmth and humour to the role of Buddy, as the eccentric guardian of rock history. His comedic delivery added a wonderful light-heartedness to the show and provided many laugh-out-loud moments, which balanced the production beautifully.
Thomas Frith delivered a striking performance as Khashoggi, Killer Queen’s intimidating enforcer. The character demands power and authority, and Frith portrayed this brilliantly with strong vocals and commanding stage presence throughout.
The pairing of Oliver Ball as Brit and Georgia Gowler as Oz proved to be another major highlight of the evening. Their duets were outstanding, with harmonies that were beautifully blended and emotionally performed.
Musically, the show was packed with standout moments. “I Want To Break Free” performed by Ryan and Fray was a definite showstopper, showcasing both performers’ incredible vocal ability and chemistry. Cannon’s musical numbers were equally spectacular, particularly “Don’t Stop Me Now,” where the staging and visual presentation were simply breathtaking. “Fat Bottomed Girls” performed by Cannon and company was raunchy, exciting, daring, and brilliantly executed – a risky number that paid off spectacularly and had the audience thoroughly entertained.
The production itself was visually stunning. The staging appeared almost arena-like at times, creating a huge concert atmosphere that perfectly suited Queen’s music. Whether intentional or not, it looked absolutely incredible. The lighting design was magnificent and played a hugely significant role in bringing the show to life. In a production like We Will Rock You, lighting is essential, and the creative team got it exactly right. Combined with the sound, visuals, costumes, wigs, and overall technical production, everything felt polished to a truly professional standard.
The ensemble also deserves enormous praise. A production of this scale cannot succeed without a strong ensemble, and every single cast member gave their heart and soul to the performance. The choreography was slick, energetic, and visually impressive throughout, executed with precision and professionalism by the talented company.
Having seen We Will Rock You many times before, this production stands out as my personal favourite. It delivered everything audiences could possibly want – stunning visuals, powerhouse vocals, outstanding acting performances, and incredible versatility from the cast. The entire show was flawless, slick, and breathtaking from beginning to end, and judging by the audience reaction, it was clearly a huge favourite with rock fans.
Whether you are a lifelong fan of Queen or simply someone who enjoys outstanding musical theatre, this production is an absolute must-see. Packed with familiar hits, brilliant vocals, and spectacular visuals, TMTC’s We Will Rock You is a full all-round professional-quality production worthy of any major stage.
Tickets can be purchased from https://www.ticketsource.com for the rest of the run ending on the 23rd May 2026.
Reviewer: Katie Leicester
Reviewed: 20th May 2026
North West End UK Rating: