Toowoomba rebels bring rock n’ roll music back from dead

What does Toowoomba, English rock band Queen and reality TV program Big Brother have in common? Find out here.

More than 100 students from Concordia Lutheran College have contributed to bringing the school’s production of We Will Rock You to life.

Whether they are centre stage or working behind the scenes, students from both the Junior College and Stephen St Campuses will feature in the show at the Empire Theatre.

Abigail Leslight as Killer Queen sits on the Big Brother chair in We Will Rock You as presented by Concordia at Empire Theatres. Picture: Kevin Farmer

With more than 20 songs by Queen featured in the performance, audience members will be treated to hits including We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love, We Are the Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody among others.

Fulfilling the lead roles are year 12 students Maddison Geiger playing Scaramouche and Campbell Venz who was cast as Galileo.

Maddison Geiger as Scaramouche and Campbell Venz as Galileo in We Will Rock You. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“The story follows two lovers who are trying to bring back rock n’ roll in a post-apocalyptic world, after (the villain) Killer Queen has taken over and banned all musical instruments,” Ms Geiger said.

“My character is a very confident person but she has a lot of insecurities which is quite beautiful because it shows the reality of a young girl trying to find her way in the world.”

Ready for We Will Rock You are (from left) Campbell Venz (Galileo), Maddison Geiger (Scaramouche), Josh Lambert (Galileo), Georgette May (Scaramouche), Christian Sullivan (Brit) and Sarah Peake (Oz) as presented by Concordia at Empire Theatre. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Meanwhile Mr Venz said his character was “a rebel in a world where rebels aren’t allowed.”

“He’s a dreamer and he’s getting all these visions and prophecies from the olden days when music was still around,” he said.

“The show is made up of all Queen music so you can’t really get sick of it … although some people may beg to differ, but I’ve loved it.

“We started working on this in October last year, so it’s been really fun seeing the production come together after all the rehearsals.”

Abigail Leslight as Killer Queen with the Big Brother chair in We Will Rock You as presented by Concordia at Empire Theatre. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Both students said acting had increased their confidence levels and was a hobby they hoped to continue after graduating from high school.

In an added twist, the director also managed to source the Diary Room chair from the eleventh season of Australian reality television program Big Brother.

The prop will be used as the Killer Queen’s throne.

Adapted from the original London West End production, Concordia’s We Will Rock You will be at the Empire Theatre from May 18 to 20.

Christian Sullivan as Brit and Sarah Peake as Oz in We Will Rock You presented by Concordia. Picture: Kevin Farmer