Review: We Will Rock You brings Queen’s music, laughter and a powerful message to Portsmouth

The Kings Theatre in Southsea was buzzing on Tuesday evening (20 October) as a full house enjoyed the gala performance of We Will Rock You, the hugely popular musical featuring the unforgettable music of Queen and a story by comedian and writer Ben Elton.

And what a night it was.

From powerful vocals and energetic dance routines to some wonderfully cheeky adult humour, the production delivered an evening of laughter, nostalgia and musical entertainment.

The audience was fully engaged throughout, with plenty of laughs, applause and enthusiastic reactions to the familiar Queen anthems.

Particular praise must go to the performers playing Galileo (Charlie Frame) and Scaramouche (Megan Parkes) who were outstanding in the leading roles. Their vocal performances, natural chemistry and excellent comic timing were among the highlights of the evening.

Scaramouche’s sharp wit and sarcastic humour provided some of the funniest moments, while Galileo brought both humour and emotion to a story that has a surprisingly meaningful message beneath its larger than life characters.

More than just a musical

Although We Will Rock You is best known for its spectacular soundtrack, the story explores something that feels particularly relevant today: the importance of music, individuality and freedom of expression.

Behind the comedy and familiar songs is a powerful reminder of what music contributes to our lives.

For me personally, this was an especially meaningful performance.

Having experienced how music can positively influence mental health and wellbeing, the show’s underlying message really resonated with me.

Music has an extraordinary ability to connect with our emotions. A song can bring back a memory, lift our spirits during difficult times or help us express feelings that are difficult to explain.

Sometimes it is the melody. Sometimes it is the lyrics. And sometimes it is simply the experience of sharing music with other people.

That connection was particularly evident inside the Kings Theatre on Tuesday evening.

Watching a packed audience laugh, applaud and enjoy the music together was a wonderful example of how live entertainment can bring people together and provide a welcome escape from everyday pressures.

Of course, a night at the theatre is not a solution to mental health difficulties. But opportunities to connect with others, enjoy ourselves and experience something uplifting can play an important part in our overall wellbeing.

And that, for me, was what made this production particularly memorable.

A fantastic night for Portsmouth theatre

The entire cast deserves enormous credit for delivering such an entertaining production, with director Sean Smith and the wider creative team bringing the music, humour and story together in a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

It was also wonderful to see the Kings Theatre filled with people supporting live performance in Portsmouth.

The city is fortunate to have such a beautiful historic theatre and productions like this demonstrate why these venues remain so important to our local cultural scene.

Whether you are a lifelong Queen fan, a musical theatre enthusiast or simply looking for an entertaining evening, We Will Rock You delivers plenty of reasons to smile.

But perhaps its greatest strength is the message that remains long after the final curtain.

Music is not just entertainment. It is part of who we are, how we express ourselves and how we connect with one another.

And sometimes the right song, with the right words, at the right moment, can mean more than we realise.