I haven't been to a show that has left me smiling from start to finish for a very, very long time. That all changed with Portsmouth Theatre Presents' production of We Will Rock You at King's Theatre Portsmouth.

Having chatted to first-time director Sean Smith on the show a couple of weeks ago, I was really excited to see what he'd bring to this Queen-powered musical. I certainly wasn't disappointed. In fact, I came away wondering how on earth I was going to put into words just how much I loved it.

Set in a dystopian future where individuality is forbidden and music is controlled by a corporate regime, We Will Rock Youfollows a group of rebels known as the Bohemians as they fight to bring rock music back to a world that has forgotten how to think, feel and express itself. For a rock fan, the thought of living in a world where you're only allowed to listen to pre-approved music sounds like absolute hell, so I was entirely on board with the rebellion!

Yes, the story is completely bonkers, but that's precisely why it works. Having seen plenty of jukebox musicals over the last couple of years, I've sometimes found that the story feels like an afterthought, existing purely to connect one hit to the next. Here, the wonderfully ridiculous plot is absolutely perfect for the material, giving those legendary Queen songs a world in which to live and breathe.

And what a cast!

Charlie Franks as Galileo brought a wonderfully charismatic, cheeky rock-star energy to the role, with flashes of that unmistakable Robbie Williams swagger. Meanwhile, Megan Park's Scaramouche was an absolute delight. Her comic timing and delivery were spectacular, and we were immediately drawn to her character. Mike Gibbons, as Kashoggi, struck a brilliant balance between humour and menace, with a look that wouldn't have been out of place in The Matrix and a wonderfully distinctive vocal delivery that brought a touch of Richard E. Grant-esque character to the role. It was a combination that worked brilliantly!

But my standout performance of the night has to be Emma Hall as Killer Queen. She commanded the stage every single time she appeared, delivering her lines with impeccable comic timing and bringing a larger-than-life presence to the role. And she sang my favourite Queen song in the entire show, which certainly didn't hurt! She's an absolute star.

What struck me most, though, was that every single person on that stage had their moment to shine. From the principal cast to the ensemble, everyone brought something to the production. You could see how much they were enjoying themselves, and that joy was infectious. The casting felt spot-on throughout, the choreography was fantastic, and the costumes were an absolute triumph. The Bohemians pay homage to some of the most iconic figures in rock and pop, and the creativity, colour and detail in their looks were brilliant. Huge congratulations to the wardrobe team!

Queen's music is, of course, at the heart of the show, and you really can't go wrong with Queen. But what makes this production so special is the talent, energy and sheer commitment surrounding those songs. The whole cast and crew have created something that feels genuinely joyful, polished and full of life.

It also made me think about the stigma that still surrounds what we traditionally call amateur dramatics. After seeing several productions over the last year, I'm increasingly convinced that the term is outdated. This production was anything but amateur. The performances were every bit as impressive as those I've seen from professional West End casts over the years, and in some cases, even better.

Not everyone who loves performing wants to make it their career, and not everyone has had the opportunity to do so. Community theatre provides a place for people to develop their talents, express themselves and do something they love. The level of talent on that stage was extraordinary, and every single performer gave it their all. Productions like this deserve to be celebrated.

One of my favourite moments actually happened before the show had even started. As I walked into the theatre, I spotted someone wearing a We Will Rock You hoodie who had clearly seen the London production. She was practically bouncing with excitement, telling me how much she loved the musical and how excited she was to see it again. It was such a lovely thing to witness, and I found myself watching her during the performance. The smile on her face said absolutely everything. This is what theatre is all about: the joy of experiencing a story and music you love, shared with people who love it just as much. Seeing her enjoying every moment really brought home just how special this production was.

The whole team should be incredibly proud of what they've achieved here. From the performances and choreography to the costumes, direction and sheer infectious energy, this production is something really special. Huge congratulations to Sean Smith on his first production as director, and to every single person involved in bringing it to the stage.

I can't wait to see what Portsmouth Theatre Presents does next. Their next musical at King's Theatre is Guys and Dolls in February, and there's also the festive panto at Theatre Royal Portsmouth in December to look forward to. If We Will Rock You is anything to go by, they're going to be well worth a visit.

We Will Rock You is at King's Theatre Portsmouth until Saturday. If you haven't booked your tickets yet, don't leave it too late. You really don't want to miss this one. 5 Stars is absolutely not enough for this show! 

We will, we will rock you!

Tickets available here > https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/whatson-event/we-will-rock-you-2/

Listen to our interview with director Sean Smith https://www.voicefmradio.co.uk/player/on-demand/items/musicals-and-monologues-with-jodie-11th-october/

All photos by Steve Spurgin