Heathfield Community College presents: 'We Will Rock You' 11th, 12th and 13th December
The iPlanet: Set 300 years into the future lies a land controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation in which everyone is compelled to have the same thoughts and opinions, wear the same clothes and listen to the same music. As rock music remains unknown and true musical expression is forbidden, resistance to a generated world grows beneath the towering cities and a group of rebels known as the Bohemians strive to bring the Corporation down. Legend keeps hope alive and tells of musical instruments that still exist somewhere on iPlanet that possesses the power to vaporise the head of Globalsoft; The Killer Queen. Galileo and Scaramouche take the lead in rebellion and fight for their freedom. Their task? To unearth the omnipotent instruments, buried deep in stone and unleash the power of Rock around the world to the masses of iPlanet. Chatting to Mr Marrows- the man behind this year's musical - he is clearly a man with a vision and this year promises to deliver something bigger and better than before – “It is one that we’ve wanted to do for the last few years…” he opens, with the sly air of a personal triumph. He talks openly and wildly about the concept and the transcending appeal of Queen’s music, mentioning getting the band on stage, integrating video-com, better utilising the stage-space…with Mr Marrows, the possibilities are endless; only logistics stand in the way of his creativity, which as he coyly observes, is someone else’s problem. Every production in recent years has been more professional than the last, but this year they are pushing the boat out by re-imagining the Chorus. “It’s not just: actors do a scene, dancers come on, dancers go off…but much more integrated so everyone’s involved.” he explains. No more are the Chorus merely a shuffling choir; this year they are truly part of the company, singing and dancing with the principle cast in the style of a professional musical. The cast is split into the three groups following the story: the Ga Ga Kids, the Bohemians, and the Yuppies – a creative decision with some exciting consequences. “By having three separate groups, you can split people who would traditionally be ‘the Chorus' and they can have a character, a name, an identity - and they’re involved in the songs, the dancing, and the acting on stage.”
Mr Marrows has a panicky excitement about him indicative of a man with a musical premiering in a couple of weeks. At the moment the production is at the stage where it is so close, but not quite there – a tradition Mr Marrows is taking in his stride: “Whether it’s us moaning at people, or just the sheer fright of looking bad in front of the parents…it all seems to work out. And it always amazes me when you see it magically come together.” The finished spectacle may be nothing like his original conjectures, but whatever happens will be dazzling to behold. His excitement is infectious, and we can’t wait for opening night.