Call Upon The Author

The word ‘legend’ is over used these days, but by any standard of measurement Dr Brian May fits the terminology! The sell out crowd at the cosily intimate New Theatre Royal all seemed to realise the were here to bear witness to something a little bit special.

And let’s not take anything away from Kerry Ellis, a bonafide star of musical theatre, she effortlessly makes the transition to a performer in her own right. With a soaring voice that smoothly slides from the subtlety of set opener Born Free, the title track to the tour, into a stunning rendition of I Who Have Nothing. The simplicity of one voice and one guitar (albeit one played by a master) lends new credence to what could easily be dismissed as tired and overplayed songs. As Brian himself states “this acoustic tour gives us an opportunity to play the gaps” and it’s the simplicity of the performance that makes this so special!

As the set progresses we visit Kerry’s time in Wicked, both in the West End and On Broadway. Thankfully the trite Defying Gravity is skipped in favour of the more subtle, but much lovelier I’m Not That Girl. We even pay tribute to The Beatles with an enjoyable run through Something.

Of course it’s the Queen songs that people are here for.  We’re treated to Somebody To Love and a cracking rendition of No One But You as well as rarities like Life Is Real. We even get  a mini physics lecture between songs! When May breaks out the ukulele for Good Company the real Queen aficionados erupt. Even when the solo doesn’t quite go as planned everyone is loving it (later in the night May reveals on twitter that it’s the first time he’s performed the song live).

Then Pete the guitar tech appears at May’s side clutching the iconic ‘Red Special’. The crowd erupts and May launches into THAT guitar line. 600 people are stamping their feet and clapping their hands.  Singing along in unison. For a split second it’s a balmy Wembley evening in 1985.

Legendary!