I HAVE been known to moan about so-called “jukebox” musicals, featuring random musicians performing wellknown songs from a specific decade or genre.

This production overcomes any misgivings I had.

Are the singers and musicians up to scratch? Yes, and more.

Can they put across the magic that made Queen the world’s greatest rock band?

Yes.

Do they engage the audience and get them participating? Yes.

The solid rock backing, including two brilliant guitarists, provides the foundation for six well-aboveaverage vocalists; to my relief no one is trying to do Freddie Mercury impressions, in fact the women take as many lead vocals as the men.

All have powerful voices with impressive range, particularly Nathan James, who seems unassuming, but has the brio to make his entrance on stage wearing a leather kilt.

James has a true rock voice and makes the upper registers seem easy.

To perform Queen songs successfully you can’t just grab a mic and do it; the music is so complex, the multi-layered harmonies so vital to the sound, that it takes a level of professionalism many musicians can only aspire to.

This production revels in the harmonies, the six singers giving their all in brilliant, satisfying renditions of Queen’s best-known anthems.

Their rendition of Barcelona at the end of the first half had the audience on its feet cheering, and rightly so.

Until Saturday. Call 01325- 486555.