PYT's production of this lively show emits sheer joie de vivre.
The show uses familiar music from Queen, and both the vocalists and the musicians under director David Starbuck brought huge professionalism to the score.
Thanks to a dedicated technical team, the specially-erected platform and lighting rig which transformed St Swithun's Church provided an imposing stage, and such was the magic that the hard pews were forgotten.
Set in a future 300 years ahead, Globalsoft rules hearts and minds, but small group The Bohemians seeks to revive music without censorship, using instruments long gone.
The plot is weak, particularly in Act II, but it matters not as the tale rolls out glorious Queen numbers and uses familiar words from songs within the script.
Paul Hill's vocal ability as the confused Galileo turns each of his numbers into gems, and Paige Sandhu meets him on equal grounds as the rebel Scaramouche.
The imposing and beautifully-dressed Killer Queen, Collette Barclay, has total power over Commander Khashoggi (a cool but toadying Dan Quinn), and in the rebel camp with equally professional vocal delivery we meet Meatloaf (Chess Little) and Britney Spears (Joe Clowser).
These two introduce Galileo and Scaramouche to the Bohemian hide-out where more costume glories are revealed.
Led by Robbie Williams, a gentle Ed Price, we meet a plethora of pop stars with, to us, familiar names. Sheridan Smith opens and closes the tale as Pop, a beatnik who still retains a glimmer of musical individuality and who joins our heroes on their flying trip (some good video footage) to Wembley where a guitar is eventually discovered.
Lively and demanding choreography by Tonia Porter and Caroline Rodgers showed off more young talent, and the hours of hard work and rehearsals brought together an uplifting and resourcefully-delivered show which received the lengthy standing ovation it deserved.
Had I six stars to award, I would happily give them to a cast who entertained to such a high standard, and who will have an abiding memory of the team work, dedication and fun required to achieve it.
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Dates
11-14th July 2007
Venue
St. Swithun's Church,
Grovelands Road, Purley, Surrey.
Charity
Croydon Crossroads
Cast
Galileo
Paul Hill
Scaramouche
Paige Sandhu
Killer Queen
Collette Barclay
Khashoggi
Dan Quinn
Britney
Joseph Clowser
Meatloaf
Chess Little
Pop
Sheridan Smith
Robbie Williams
Ed Price
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