Robbie's best mate turns up the volume (From Swindon Advertiser)

Robbie's best mate turns up the volume

9:46pm Thursday 17th September 2009 in

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THEY say they are going to rock you – and boy, they’re not lying.

Every brick in the Bristol Hippodrome was vibrating as Wootton Bassett’s Jonathan Wilkes came crashing into town with We Will Rock You at the start of its six-week run.

And the audience was in for a huge treat, when Queen guitarist Brian May burst onto the stage in the second act to blow the roof off with his trademark sizzling guitar riffs.

Singer and actor Wilkes – and best friend of global superstar Robbie Williams – is in for a busy time.

As well as his role in the rock musical, his new performing arts academy in Old Town, Swindon, is officially opened tomorrow.

The musical, penned by Ben Elton and based on the music of Queen, is set 300 years in the future when earth has been renamed Planet Mall and is controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation.

Nothing is unique – all of the Ga Ga kids watch the same films, wear the same clothes, think the same thoughts and listen to the same music.

No-one has heard of rock music and musical instruments are banned. But there is a legend that one day someone will show them the way and rock will be back.

As the house lights went down the sound of Freddie Mercury blasted around the auditorium as the audience was taken to 2309 and Kevin Kennedy burst onto the stage before being trapped inside a bright green prism of light. Then out on stage came Johnathan as Khashoggi, the commander of Globalsoft’s police.

It’s a first for the star as he’s never played a baddie before but you would never have guessed.

His evil sneer was second to none and he had the evil laugh down to a tee. During his duet in killer queen (with former X-factor finalist Brenda Edwards) he showed off his vocal talent and proved why he’s landed the star role in so many musicals.

This is a fast paced and loud show. The audience gets involved from the start, clapping cheering and in some cases singing along.

If you love musicals, Rock, Queen or just fancy a good night out then this is the show for you.