We Will Rock You / Vernon God Little
Reviews of the fifth anniversary performance of Queen musical We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End, and Vernon God Little at the Young Vic, adapted from the DBC Pierre novel. Read PDF of full published articles.
Malcolm Rock said,
26 June 2007 at 7:28 pm
Brian May himself responded to my We Will Rock You review on his personal website. Here’s what he had to say, pasted directly from http://www.brianmay.com. Perhaps it is worth noting that I celebrated my 25th birthday earlier this year.
“It’s awfully tiresome to have to explain popular culture, to those who purport to have their finger on the pulse. Makes me wonder if critics a) never watch TV, b) have no families, or contact young people.
Audiences span the widest possible age range for a show of this type. It is only necessary to GO to the Dominion and have a look at the patrons. There is absolutely no reason to doubt the majority DO watch TV… we are talking the average man, woman and child ‘in the street’.
There are jokes in there to cater for ALL – something for everyone. Teletubbies have passed into TV folklore, so why should new audiences of this family show not remember them? The references to 90s boy and girl bands are not there to offend.
This is a show which laughs at itself, and covers the whole spectrum, and if you follow the plot, this is looking back at ‘ourselves’ from 300 years in the future. It’s a bit like us looking back on a time when the people of the day thought the Earth was flat, and now we can laugh at that.
Incidentally – Teletubbies is still showing regularily on current main daytime BBC TV – the next programme goes out Wed 16 May 11.am.
AND more info about the still cult status of Teletubbies on Wikipedia ‘In 2007, the show is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a new illustrated art style and website.’”
Gregory said,
28 June 2007 at 1:05 pm
Wow, Mr May is seriously precious. This review reads as a positive resonse overall, so what’s his problem? Brian, take the criticism and learn from it … I liked We Will Rock You too but it sure ain’t perfect!
Linda Green said,
30 June 2007 at 12:12 pm
If you’re only 25 Brian’s argument falls flat on its rock hard ass. Anyway you seem to be a pretty fair and objective critic. Keep it up.
BarryQUEEN said,
10 July 2007 at 8:12 pm
QUEEN ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!
Sara-Jane said,
1 August 2007 at 2:09 pm
I haven’t seen WWRY but I can’t believe its script writer would have the audacity to make a case for “real” music using Queen as its yardstick. A Teletubbies musical on the other hand …
Harry said,
22 October 2007 at 10:12 am
What a load of rubbish Vernon was. Haven’t read the book. Won’t be reading the book after seeing this mess of a show!
Shelley said,
28 November 2007 at 11:49 am
I don’t understand why some critics were so taken by Vernon God Little. Like you I found it too aggresive, even painful to watch. I walked out with a headache and wish I had read your review first. Next time.