A Night at the Opera (House): ‘We Will Rock You’ rocks Tel Aviv

By STEVE LINDE

AUGUST 31, 2023 15:33

Updated: AUGUST 31, 2023 15:34

The performance of "We Will Rock You" at Tel Aviv's Opera House. (photo credit: ALON LEVIN) — The performance of "We Will Rock You" at Tel Aviv's Opera House.

(photo credit: ALON LEVIN)

We Will Rock You • The Opera House, Tel Aviv • August 31

“We Will Rock You,” the West End musical sensation by Ben Elton whose narrative weaves through the popular songs of Queen, thrilled a packed Opera House of over 1,500 people at its Israeli premiere on Wednesday night. Among those attending were a host of Israeli music VIPs, including Moshe Datz and Tzedi Tzarfati, who enjoyed a VIP cocktail party ahead of the performance.

Although the show itself is pure escapism, its plot resonates eerily with the political situation in Israel and the wider world today, telling the sci-fi tale of how Bohemian rebels seek to restore freedom and rock music on a futuristic totalitarian planet (some 300 years from now) in which everyone conforms to the norms (including fashion) set by the all-powerful Global Soft corporation.

“This story has the all the characteristics of dystopian fiction: government control, environmental destruction, technological control, survival, loss of individualism,” says director and choreographer Nick Winston. “The music is brilliant, but to create a memorable night at the theater, the story has to have just as much currency.”

Much of the production's cast were South Africa-born

The superb cast, many of whom hail from South Africa, feature Stuart Brown and Nicolette Fernandes as protagonists Galileo Figaro (“The Dreamer” who hears the lyrics of Queen’s songs in his sleep) and Scaramouche (the women’s lib anarchist Freddie Mercury based on a 16th century figure), who develop a romantic relationship. The head of Global Soft, Killer Queen played wonderfully by Londiwe Dhlomo, orders her police chief, Khashoggi (Craig Urbani), to crush the Bohemian rebellion before they can fulfill their mission of resurrecting Rock’s holy grail – Brian May’s guitar.

As the drama unfolds, the cast peppers the witty dialogue – again based on Queen lyrics – with several references for the local audience, remembering Ofra Haza, asking questions like “What is Hava Nagila?” and even using the odd Hebrew phrase (such as “bilbulei tachat”).

The performance of ''We Will Rock You'' at Tel Aviv's Opera House. (credit: ALON LEVIN)

The audience applauded loudly in appreciation, thrust up their right arms and sometimes sang along to the catchy lyrics of Queen’s hit songs, which ranged from “Radio Ga Ga,” “Bicycle Race,” “I Want to Break Free,” “Love of My Life” and “We Will Rock You,” climaxing in “We Are the Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

It is all in English, with Hebrew subtitles screened above and on either side of the stage. With a rock-and-roll cast who sing and dance with aplomb, marvelous music, fantastic choreography, colorful costumes and a great set, what’s not to enjoy? It is, in the spirit of Queen, a glittering night at the opera with a special kind of magic.