London
WE WILL ROCK YOU TO END LONDON RUN
By Jacky
Jan 27, 2006, 11:44

QUEEN & BEN ELTON’S “WE WILL ROCK YOU”
ENDS PRESENT WEST END RUN FOR UK TOUR

Like the band itself, which returned to live concerts after 20 years and is currently
preparing for an extensive USA set of dates, the Queen & Ben Elton musical, “We Will Rock You” is heading out on tour.

Having proved its enormous rapport with the public by achieving the distinction of becoming the longest running musical ever staged at prime West End theatre, the Dominion, the show is set to end its present run this autumn.

The news comes in an announcement from joint producers of the show, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and Queen Productions, of their decision to terminate the London run, in favour of calls for a touring production of “WWRY” in the UK.

After a hugely successful four and a half years on stage, “We Will Rock You” will give its final West End performance on Saturday, 7 October, 2006.

Dating of the UK tour has yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to be one of the heaviest
ever undertaken. “You can expect us to visit every major city over the next couple of years”, said one of the show’s producers.

Departing the Dominion, “We Will Rock You” will leave behind an impressive legacy: by its final performance, the show will have attracted an audience of over 3 million, and broken all house records at the flagship theatre which has been its home since Spring 2002.

Not least of all is the achievement reached in August of last year, when the show overtook Grease to become the longest running musical ever at the theatre. In addition, by the time it reaches closing, We Will Rock You, will have outstayed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast by almost two years.

Since opening at the Dominion in May 2002, We Will Rock You has maintained a towering presence in the West End, perhaps best represented by the 5 metre statue of Freddie Mercury which has dominated the theatre front since shortly after opening and has now become one of London’s most recognised landmarks.

The success of the original London production has been mirrored across the world, turning We Will Rock You into one of only a few of the big shows from recent years which have become a true global brand.

Following London, productions have opened in Australia, Spain, Russia, Las Vegas, USA, Japan, and Germany, where it continues to be one of the highest grossing musicals of all time. To date, more than 5 million people have seen the show worldwide, with box office and merchandise earnings in excess of £200 million.

This year will see the show open in South Africa, Italy, and return for a second run in Japan.

There is also the expectation that having played its UK tour the show will revisit London.

Says producer Phil McIntyre: “We are bursting with excitement; at last provincial audiences will get a true rock extravaganza. We can't wait to see the first night reactions throughout the country. We Will Rock You will rock the UK; it is the biggest and best rock theatrical!”



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