Rocking the Stage: 'We Will Rock You' Boasts Second-Largest Cast in Gigg History

Imagine a world where an evil dictator rules, technology is all powerful and AI music floods the airways. Is rock ‘n’ roll doomed to die or can it be saved by the power of freedom and love?

‘We Will Rock You’, written by Ben Elton and featuring the music of Queen, is an eerily prescient view of what life would be like in a globalised, technological future where capitalism controls and artistic expression has been banished.

Killer Queen, the tyrannical leader of Globalsoft, is the arch villain who was uploaded into reality from a computer game and whose success relies on conformity and, more importantly, the absence of rock on the iPlanet. Alongside henchwoman, Khashoggi and the Ga Ga Kids, she rules the airways, the web and the world.

Enter the plucky Scaramouche and dreamer, Galileo Figaro who, along with the rebel group of Bohemians, set out to restore the long-forgotten rock ‘n’ roll and perform the legendary Rhapsody.

Comprising 22 songs, a cast of over 50 performers, stage crew and band members taken from years 9-13, elaborate set and costumes, and complex choreography, ‘We Will Rock You’ was a huge challenge and a roaring success. Directed with aplomb by Katie Baskeyfield, Barbara Cilgram, Darren Everhart and Gareth Warburton, the production more than did justice to Queen’s iconic music.

Led brilliantly by the house band which featured A Level students, Benjamin Clarke and Oscar Flanagan, the talented cast excelled both in their acting and their singing. Stalwart Giggleswick performer, Ben Kelt was plucky and endearing as Galileo, showcasing his fantastic vocal range in numbers such as ‘I Want to Break Free’ and ‘Under Pressure’. Phoebe Cook as the sassy Scaramouche was the perfect foil, moving easily between comic one liners and heart felt emotion.

The Bohemians were a delight. Eccentric, eclectic and hilariously bewildered by the ancient artefacts such as posters, video tapes and televisions, they filled the stage with colour and joy. Charlie Bolles shone as Buddy as did Oz, played with rock-chick flair by Isabella Dunderdale and Imogen McIntosh, and Brit, played with great comic timing, by Leopold Ingham-Barrow and Harris Smith.

Set against them, Killer Queen – played with villainous relish by Sophia Henson – was ably supported by Chief of Police, Khashoggi: Millie West and newcomer, Elsa Gordon Marshall. The Ga Ga Kids formed a bleak army of brainwashed clones and Leon Venn’s choreography was an effective accompaniment to their musical numbers. Mike Offland’s lighting and sound design brought together the futuristic effect of a world taken over by technology.

Congratulations go to all those involved both on stage and behind the scenes. ‘We Will Rock You’ was a tremendous, vibrant production which triumphantly showed that rock ‘n’ roll is far from dead!

Karen Peacock

"This year we are proud to say that we have the second-largest cast in Giggleswick history on stage, not to mention a team of student stage managers, and student musicians in the band. Students from years 9-13 have worked together to produce this fantastic show.

Every year we are astounded by the standard of work our students are producing, especially when staging a musical, this is certainly true for this production. Our rehearsal process has not been without its challenges but as always, we have been blown away by the cast's hard work, dedication and willingness to step out of their comfort zone either by singing in harmony, learning choreography or taking on a principal role for the first time."

Gareth Warburton