Penrith Musical Comedy Company (PMCC) is gearing up to rock audiences with their highly anticipated production of ‘We Will Rock You’ – a musical phenomenon celebrating the legendary music of Queen.
Set in a dystopian future where music has been silenced and individuality is forbidden, the show tells a powerful story of rebellion, freedom, and the unifying power of a good melody.
Re-living cherished memories of seeing ‘We Will Rock You’ in London’s West End is director Josie Dwyer.
“This was one of the very first musicals I took my children to, and they’re now following their dreams in the theatre world,” Dwyer reminisced.
Collaboration is at the heart of Dwyer’s directorial style for the high-energy musical in Penrith.
“Every voice on the production team is valuable. They are each masters of their respective fields,” Dwyer said.
Another member of the team with a deeply personal attachment to the production is musical director Nathan Murphy.
“There is no more iconic rock band in existence than Queen,” Murphy declared.
“I grew up with Queen playing on the family stereo and immediately felt a connection with the freedom and energy of their music.”
And he’s doing the band justice by working closely with the cast on sound, vocal placement and timbre. The production has also taken a unique approach with their orchestra.
“It’s a rock band, and we really want to approach it as such – getting things tight, making sure we’re hitting the right dynamics,” Murphy explained.
Translating powerful anthems into electrifying movements is choreographer Tara Lawson, who is passionate about inclusivity.
“Each cast member – whether it be a super-flexible featured dancer, our energetic children’s ensemble, or our enthusiastic self-proclaimed ‘strong movers’ – has such an important role to play,” Lawson said.
She hopes the audience will feel the energy, passion, and emotion behind the movement on stage.
“‘We Will Rock You’ is not just about the music, it’s about the fight for freedom, self-expression, and rock ‘n’ roll,” Lawson stated.
“I hope the audience feels that power from every step we’ve created.”
‘We Will Rock You’ will run from May 9 to 17 at Penrith’s Q Theatre.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.