Arnewood Rocks!

Talented students rocked the building’s foundations when they entertained audiences with their version of a Queen-inspired musical.

From acting to singing and from playing musical instruments to backstage production, altogether 75 students brought this ambitious production of We Will Rock You to packed audiences.

Their take on the Ben Elton musical, which features the famous songs from Queen, was performed over three nights on January 30, 31 and February 1. With Thursday and Friday being sold out.

Ella Taylor, who played Khashoggi in the production said, “It was an incredible experience and the cast was so lovely and inclusive. An unforgettable experience.”

We Will Rock You is set 300 years in the future and Earth has been renamed Planet Mall, controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation.

On Planet Mall mainstream commercial conformity reigns, in which Ga Ga Kids watch the same movies, listen to computer-generated music, wear the same clothes and hold the same thoughts and opinions. Musical instruments are forbidden, and rock music is unknown.

In the newest graduating class is Galileo, who has dreams and hears strange words in his head, most of which are lyrics of long lost songs. Despite his teacher’s advice, Galileo refuses to conform like the rest of his classmates. Galileo is imprisoned and meets a soul mate in ‘goth’ Scaramouche. Meanwhile, Planet Mall leader Killer Queen is out to destroy rebels called the Bohemians who believe in a prophecy that musical instruments will again return. Galileo and Scaramouch join up with the Bohemians in a quest to rock the planet once again.

Taking on the lead role of Galileo was Year 11’s Hannah Rand, joined by Year 12’s Elaine Munsayac who plays Scaramouche. Libby Harrison and Ella Taylor in Year 10 hit the stage as Britney Spears and Khashoggi. Nicola Humphrys from Year 11 as Meat. The anti-heroine of the production, Killer Queen, was performed by Emma Hardy in Year 12.