We Will Rock You: 10th Anniversary Tour

We Will Rock You: 10th Anniversary Tour
Tour by We Will Rock You
Location Europe, North America
Start date 25 February 2013
End date 24 August 2014
Legs 2
No. of shows 404 in Total
279 in the United States
22 in Denmark
18 in Canada
16 in England
15 in Mexico
15 in Turkey
8 in Finland
8 in Luxembourg
6 in Bulgaria
5 in the Czech Republic
5 in Northern Ireland
4 in Ireland
3 in the Netherlands
16 Cancelled

The We Will Rock You: 10th Anniversary Tour is world tour started in February 2013, by the We Will Rock You Musical celebrating the musical's tenth anniversary. Although the tour will technically take place between the musical's eleventh and twelfth anniversaries. The tour will play to audiences around the world while the record-breaking run at London's Dominion Theatre will continue.[1][2]

Background

Following the triumphant 2010 and 2011 UK theatre tours, the smash hit Queen and Ben Elton musical, We Will Rock You announces the show will embark on its first ever world arena tour. With 24 of Queen's biggest hits delivered in a show that boasts the scale and spectacle that marked the bands’ legendary live performances, this will be one of the most spectacular musicals to tour the world.[3]

Unprecedented success in theatres around the world has paved the way for We Will Rock You to make the step into arenas, where the Rock Theatrical will be performed in front of thousands of rock fans every night. The world tour will see the show visit arenas in Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia and the UK and Ireland in 2013. Further dates in Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will be announced shortly.[4] Due to the Leeds Arena not being completed on time, it will not be a playable venue by the time of the shows. All shows originally scheduled for Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena we moved to the dates of the original Leeds shows, which have been indefinitely postphoned until the dates can be rescheduled.[5]

On 7 March 2013 QueenOnline announced that there will also be a national tour of the United States, beginning in Baltimore in October and currently will visit Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Minneapolis, Thunder Bay, Miami, For Myers, Columbus, Houston, Detroit, Providence, Tampa, Charlotte, Des Moines and Los Angeles[6][7]

Tour dates

Date City Country Venue Times
Europe[4]
25 February 2013 Turku Finland HK Arena 7:30pm
26 February 2013
28 February 2013 Helsinki Hartwall Areena
1 March 2013
2 March 2013 1:00pm & 5:00pm
3 March 2013 3:00pm & 7:30pm
7 March 2013 Aalborg Denmark Gigantium 8:00pm
8 March 2013 4:30pm & 9:00pm
9 March 2013 3:30pm & 8:00pm
10 March 2013 3:00pm
12 March 2013 Copenhagen Forum Copenhagen 8:00pm
13 March 2013
14 March 2013
15 March 2013 4:30pm & 9:00pm
16 March 2013 3:30pm & 8:00pm
17 March 2013 3:00pm
19 March 2013 Horsens Forum Horsens 8:00pm
20 March 2013
21 March 2013
22 March 2013 4:30pm & 9:00pm
23 March 2013 3:30pm & 8:00pm
24 March 2013 3:00pm
27 March 2013 Nottingham England Capital FM Arena 7:30pm
28 March 2013
29 March 2013
30 March 2013 2:30pm & 7:30pm
4 April 2013 Dublin Ireland The O2 7:30pm
5 April 2013
6 April 2013 2:30pm & 7:30pm
11 April 2013 Amsterdam Netherlands Heineken Music Hall 8:00pm
12 April 2013
13 April 2013
16 April 2013 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg Rockhal
17 April 2013
18 April 2013
19 April 2013
20 April 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
21 April 2013
24 April 2013 Ostrava Czech Republic ČEZ Aréna 7:00pm
26 April 2013 Prague O2 Arena 8:00pm
27 April 2013 3:00pm & 8:00pm
28 April 2013 7:00pm
3 May 2013 Istanbul Turkey Ülker Sports Arena 9:00pm
4 May 2013 3:00pm & 9:00pm
5 May 2013 2:30pm & 8:00pm
6 May 2013 9:00pm
7 May 2013
8 May 2013
9 May 2013
10 May 2013 3:00pm & 9:00pm
11 May 2013
12 May 2013 2:30pm & 8:00pm
15 May 2013 Sofia Bulgaria Armeets Arena 8:00pm
16 May 2013
17 May 2013
18 May 2013 3:00pm & 8:00pm
19 May 2013 7:00pm
24 May 2013 Zagreb Croatia Arena Zagreb 8:00pm
25 May 2013
26 May 2013 4:00pm
30 May 2013 Sheffield England Motorpoint Arena Sheffield 7:30pm
31 May 2013
1 June 2013 2:30pm & 7:30pm
2 June 2013 2:30pm
4 June 2013 Manchester Manchester Arena 7:30pm
5 June 2013
7 June 2013 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
8 June 2013 2:30pm & 7:30pm
9 June 2013 2:30pm
12 June 2013 Belfast Northern Ireland Odyssey Arena 8:00pm
13 June 2013
14 June 2013
15 June 2013 2:30pm & 7:30pm
North America[6][7]
15 October 2013 Baltimore United States France-Merrick Performing Arts Center 8:00pm
16 October 2013
17 October 2013
18 October 2013
19 October 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
20 October 2013 1:00pm & 6:30pm
22 October 2013 Chicago Cadillac Palace Theatre 7:30pm
23 October 2013
24 October 2013 2:00pm & 7:30pm
25 October 2013 7:30pm
26 October 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
27 October 2013 2:00pm & 7:30pm
29 October 2013 Pittsburgh Benedum Center 7:30pm
30 October 2013
31 October 2013
1 November 2013 8:00pm
2 November 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
3 November 2013 1:00pm & 6:30pm
5 November 2013 Boston Boston Opera House 7:30pm
6 November 2013
7 November 2013
8 November 2013 8:00pm
9 November 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
10 November 2013 1:00pm & 6:30pm
12 November 2013 Nashville Andrew Jackson Hall 7:30pm
13 November 2013
14 November 2013
15 November 2013 8:00pm
16 November 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
17 November 2013 1:00pm & 6:30pm
19 November 2013 Minneapolis Orpheum Theatre 7:30pm
20 November 2013
21 November 2013
22 November 2013 8:00pm
23 November 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
24 November 2013 1:00pm & 6:30pm
26 November 2013 Thunder Bay Canada Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:00pm
27 November 2013
29 November 2013 Schenectady United States Proctor's Theatre 8:00pm
30 November 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
1 December 2013 2:00pm
3 December 2013 Raleigh Raleigh Memorial Auditorium 7:30pm
4 December 2013
5 December 2013
6 December 2013
7 December 2013 2:00 & 7:30pm
8 December 2013
10 December 2013 Miami Ziff Ballet Opera House 8:00pm
11 December 2013
12 December 2013
13 December 2013
14 December 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
15 December 2013 1:00pm & 7:00pm
17 December 2013 Fort Myers Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall 7:30pm
18 December 2013
19 December 2013
20 December 2013 8:00pm
21 December 2013 2:00pm & 8:00pm
22 December 2013 1:00pm & 7:00pm
7 January 2014 Columbus Palace Theatre 7:30pm
8 January 2014
9 January 2014
10 January 2014 8:00pm
11 January 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
12 January 2014 1:30pm & 6:30pm
14 January 2014 Philadelphia Academy of Music 7:30pm
15 January 2014
16 January 2014
17 January 2014 8:00pm
18 January 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
19 January 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
22 January 2014 Houston Sarofim Hall 7:30pm
23 January 2014
24 January 2014 8:00pm
25 January 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
26 January 2014 2:00pm & 7:30pm
27 January 2014 7:30pm
28 January 2014
29 January 2014
30 January 2014
31 January 2014 8:00pm
1 February 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
2 February 2014 2:00pm & 7:30pm
5 February 2014 Mexico City Mexico Auditorio Nacional 8:30pm
6 February 2014
7 February 2014 4:00pm & 10:00pm
8 February 2014 10:30pm
9 February 2014 1:00pm & 6:00pm
12 February 2014 8:30pm
13 February 2014
14 February 2014 5:00pm & 10:00pm
15 February 2014 4:30pm & 9:30pm
16 February 2014 1:00pm & 6:00pm
4 March 2014 Dallas United States Music Hall at Fair Park 7:30pm
5 March 2014
6 March 2014
7 March 2014
8 March 2014 1:30pm & 7:30pm
9 March 2014
11 March 2014 7:30pm
12 March 2014
13 March 2014 1:30pm & 7:30pm
14 March 2014 7:30pm
15 March 2014 1:30pm & 7:30pm
16 March 2014 1:30pm
18 March 2014 St. Louis Fox Theatre 8:00pm
19 March 2014
20 March 2014
21 March 2014
22 March 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
23 March 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
25 March 2014 8:00pm
26 March 2014
27 March 2014 1:00pm & 8:00pm
28 March 2014 8:00pm
29 March 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
30 March 2014 1:00pm
1 April 2014 Detroit Fisher Theatre 7:30pm
2 April 2014
3 April 2014
4 April 2014
5 April 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
6 April 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
8 April 2014 7:30pm
9 April 2014
10 April 2014
11 April 2014
12 April 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
13 April 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
15 April 2014 Providence Providence Performing Arts Center 7:00pm
16 April 2014
17 April 2014 7:30pm
18 April 2014
19 April 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
20 April 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
22 April 2014 Morgantown WVU Creative Arts Center 7:30pm
23 April 2014
25 April 2014 New Haven Shubert Theatre 8:00pm
26 April 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
27 April 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
29 April 2014 Toronto Canada Ed Mirvish Theatre 7:00pm
30 April 2014
1 May 2014 7:30pm
2 May 2014
3 May 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
4 May 2014 1:00pm & 7:00pm
6 May 2014 8:00pm
7 May 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
8 May 2014
9 May 2014 8:00pm
10 May 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
13 May 2014 Tampa United States Carol Morsani Hall 7:30pm
14 May 2014
15 May 2014
16 May 2014 8:00pm
17 May 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
18 May 2014 2:00pm & 7:30pm
20 May 2014 Indianapolis Murat Shrine 7:30pm
21 May 2014
22 May 2014
23 May 2014
24 May 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
25 May 2014 7:00pm
27 May 2014 Charlotte Belk Theater 7:30pm
28 May 2014
29 May 2014
30 May 2014 8:00pm
31 May 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
1 June 2014 1:30pm & 6:30pm
3 June 2014 Washington, D.C. Warner Theatre 8:00pm
4 June 2014
5 June 2014
6 June 2014
7 June 2014 3:00pm & 8:00pm
8 June 2014
10 June 2014 Des Moines Civic Center of Greater Des Moines 7:30pm
11 June 2014
12 June 2014
13 June 2014
14 June 2014 2:00pm & 7:30pm
15 June 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
17 June 2014 Kansas City Starlight Theatre 8:00pm
18 June 2014
19 June 2014
20 June 2014
21 June 2014
22 June 2014
8 July 2014 Seattle 5th Avenue Theatre 7:30pm
9 July 2014
10 July 2014 8:00pm
11 July 2014
12 July 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
13 July 2014 1:30pm & 8:00pm
15 July 2014 Los Angeles Ahmanson Theatre 8:00pm
16 July 2014
17 July 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
18 July 2014 8:00pm
19 July 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
20 July 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
22 July 2014 8:00pm
23 July 2014
24 July 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
25 July 2014 8:00pm
26 July 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
27 July 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
29 July 2014 8:00pm
30 July 2014
31 July 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
1 August 2014 8:00pm
2 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
3 August 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
5 August 2014 8:00pm
6 August 2014
7 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
8 August 2014 8:00pm
9 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
10 August 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
12 August 2014 8:00pm
13 August 2014
14 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
15 August 2014 8:00pm
16 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
17 August 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
19 August 2014 8:00pm
20 August 2014
21 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
22 August 2014 8:00pm
23 August 2014 2:00pm & 8:00pm
24 August 2014 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
9 April 2013 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam Cancelled
10 April 2013 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam Cancelled
24 April 2013 O2 Arena Prague Moved to ČEZ Aréna in Ostrava
25 April 2013 O2 Arena Prague Cancelled
5 June 2013 Leeds Arena Leeds Postponed, never rescheduled
6 June 2013 Leeds Arena Leeds Postponed, never rescheduled
7 June 2013 Leeds Arena Leeds Postponed, never rescheduled
8 June 2013 Leeds Arena Leeds Postponed, never rescheduled
9 June 2013 Leeds Arena Leeds Postponed, never rescheduled
5 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Cancelled
6 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Cancelled
18 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Rescheduled to 5 June 2013[5]
19 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Rescheduled 6 June 2013
20 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Rescheduled 7 June 2013
21 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Rescheduled 8 June 2013
22 June 2013 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Rescheduled 9 June 2013
20 February 2014 Auditorio Telmex Guadalajara Cancelled
21 February 2014 Auditorio Telmex Guadalajara Cancelled
22 February 2014 Auditorio Telmex Guadalajara Cancelled
27 February 2014 Auditorio Banamex Monterrey Cancelled
28 February 2014 Auditorio Banamex Monterrey Cancelled
1 March 2014 Auditorio Banamex Monterrey Cancelled

Casts

Celebrity appearances

Brian May

Creatives, on the musical

(On taking the show into arenas) "After our first 10 years in Rock Theatricality, this is the next giant step for WWRY – and the show will feature a brand new arena-size design – a big night out for all!"
Brian May[1]
(On the show itself) "This show is all about legend", we take the legend of Queen and create our own fantastical story of young kids battling the might corporations who want to suppress their individuality and their love of music. They need a hero who can help them in their struggle, and we have two – the dreamer Galileo and the sassy rock chick Scaramouche. Guess who ends up winning?"
Ben Elton[4]
(About the script) "The amazing bonus is that Ben's script subtly works as a metaphor too. People definitely come out of the theatre feeling that in a strange way they now know us, Queen, and our struggle, our journey."
Brian May[4]
(On touring the show again) "We are looking forward to taking this true Rock Theatrical out on the road again. We had standing ovations night after night around the UK last time and we can’t wait to see that happen again."
Phil McIntyre (Producer)[4]

Critical reception

The UK Tour has received a generally positive response:

"Elton has created a nightmarish vision of the future in which live music is banned, all instruments have been destroyed and the entire population lobotomised by the Globalsoft Corporation, capable of living on the iPlanet only through the internet. Elton uses every trick in the writer's book to contrive a link to a Queen classic. Some are so obvious you can see them coming with headlights on, but that is all part of the fun. The script is witty and inventive but to make it work one other element is needed – a cast capable of handling the power of Queen's music."
Nottingham Post[10]
"A great cast, fabulous singers, amazing dance routines, stunning sets, a dazzling light show and a magnificent live rock band. It's got it all. Then there's Ben Elton's superb script which, 10-years after it's West End debut, has been tweaked with contemporary one-liners for this first ever arena tour."
Sheffield Star[11]
"But all of this is just a fun ride that leads to the most exhilarating finale that will outdo all that has come before. As the end nears, anticipation is palpable, the famed words of the most loved Queen song on everyone's lips. Superb lighting continues to dazzle, as the unbelievably talented band give their all, as the crescendo hits its peak, the fan favourite is performed, liberating the entire cast to come together to show their talent, each getting their chance to give all – Bohemian Rhapsody thunders through the arena."
Newcastle Chronicle[12]

However, in Manchester it received poor response from reviews:

"Well, certainly the classic songs of Freddie Mercury and co are faultless in what is, unfortunately, not an entirely seamless arena transfer of a show which has been a huge hit in the West End and has toured twice to Manchester's Palace Theatre to sold out audiences in recent years. Yet here, for the first of two nights at the arena, the place is far from full. That partly explains the lack of atmosphere in the cavernous setting – and the show itself has failed to move up a gear, save for some strobe lighting, to its more imposing stage. And for those of us in the floor seats it's a struggle to get a proper view – indeed I moved seats in the second half to save my cricked neck."
Manchester Evening News[13]

On opening in the US the musical was met with mixed reviews:

"There are 3 things you should know if you venture to see We Will Rock You at The Hippodrome, which I strongly suggest that you do, and quickly, as it's only in town until the 20th. 1) The future is very much like the present, only moreso. 2) Embrace the paradox of singing and dancing about not being able to make music. 3) We Will Rock You is not just for hard-core Queen fans, but for everyone who hums along when the radio plays Bicycle Race."
Broadway World[14]
"The show, heavily tricked out with eye-popping video, is meant to be satirical, but in too many ways it ends up being the very thing it tries to disparage — a sort of numbing Radio GaGa spectacle. This did not, however, prevent a multi-generational audience from swaying in their seats, their arms waving in the air."
Chicago Sun-Times[15]
"The music of We Will Rock You will definitely give you a rush, but the heavy tech and the dancing... not so much. The show runs from November 19th-24th at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis; the first National U.S. tour. When I went to see the show on opening night, November 19th, I was definitely excited, but more excited by the fact that I was going to see a show at the Orpheum for the very first time. I went in knowing almost nothing about rock, and left knowing that I would never want to go to a rock concert."
Twin Cities Daily Planet[16]
"We Will Rock You", the musical built around the music of the band Queen, is vapid and soulless. The show, which opened Tuesday in Minneapolis, has a capable cast of buff singer-actors, but even they cannot redeem what is a loud but ultimately lame effort. The major failing of "We Will Rock You" begins at conception. Queen's songs themselves are theatrical and easy to nod along to. But the story, crafted by Ben Elton, is thin and poorly written. Unlike jukebox musicals such as "Mamma Mia!", (music of Abba) or "Jersey Boys" (The Four Seasons), the book of "We Will Rock You" does not advance the music, and vice versa. Instead, it seems, the narrative is crafted simply to get to numbers such as "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Fat Bottomed Girls" and, of course, the sports anthem title track."
Hispanic Business[17]

References

  1. 1 2 "WE WILL ROCK YOU ANNOUNCES 10TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD ARENA TOUR". We Will Rock You. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  2. "Queen 'We Will Rock You' Musical Announces 10th Anniversary Arena Tour". Ultimate Classic rock. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  3. "WE QUEEN – We Will Rock You Announces 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour". BraveWords. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Press Release: WWRY Announces 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour". QueenOnline. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 "UPDATED: Press Release: WWRY Announces 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour – On Sale and New Date Details". QueenOnline. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Press Release: Queen And Ben Elton's We Will Rock You Announces U.S. National Tour". QueenOnline. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  7. 1 2 "We Will Rock You US Tour: Dates and Ticket Info!". QueenOnline. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  8. "Cast Announced For Queen And Ben Elton's 'We Will Rock You' 10th Anniversary Arena Tour". QueenOnline. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  9. "Press Release: Full Cast and Band Announced!". We Will Rock You. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  10. "Review: We Will Rock You: The Musical at the Capital FM Arena". Nottingham Post. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  11. "REVIEW: We Will Rock You at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena". Sheffield Star. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  12. "Review: We Will Rock You at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle". Newcastle Chronicle. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  13. "We Will Rock You review: Stuttering but still a stomper". Manchester Evening News. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  14. "BWW Reviews: Queen's WE WILL ROCK YOU is King". Broadway World. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  15. ""We Will Rock You" Should Have Orbited Mercury". Chicago Sun-Times. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  16. ""We Will Rock You" at the Orpheum Theatre: We Will (Blind) You". Twin Cities Daily Planet. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  17. "Queen songs ill-served in 'We Will Rock You'". Twin Cities Daily Planet. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
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