Audiences were captivated from the moment this multi-media sell-out show sprang to life, and were not released until they had been 'shaken all over like a jellyfish'.

The musical provides a tongue-in-cheek look into an Orwellian future, 300 years hence, where all originality and individuality have been outlawed. Only the appearance of a lone dreamer can make the ancient prophecy come true and restore rock and roll to the world.

Fraser MacGillivray was excellent in the part of Khashoggi, the evil Commander of the Globalsoft Police, playing it effortlessly with great flair and integrity. Joyce Marriott as Killer Queen was a match for him, and you came to believe that they did command the very souls of the inhabitants of Planet Mall.

Together they made a superb contrast to the characters of the rebel Scaramouche and the dreamer Galileo, played by Shelley McDonald and Shaun McGrath respectively. Shelley perfectly captured the unimpressed deadpan humour of Scaramouche, while her singing was of a standard to put some professionals to shame. Shaun's Galileo was expertly portrayed with much humour and many belting good songs. The duets between them were highlights of the show.

Ryan Denoon and Claire Munro played Britney Spears and Meatloaf to great effect. They worked really well together and Claire's singing was outstanding.

Scott Munro played the part of the librarian Pop, and had the funniest lines of the show. His comic timing and delivery were a joy to watch, and the audience loved every second of his performance.

The Ga-Ga girls, the Police, the Super Yuppies, Teen Queens and the Bohemians all gave solid performances as the various inhabitants of the planet. Debbie McDonald's choreography brought their different roles to life in original and entertaining ways.

The Ga-Ga girls' synchronised movements conveyed exactly the right impression of conformity. This was enhanced by the slightly creepy pink wigs and matching costumes they wore. Movement and costume worked together to give each of the groups a definite identity throughout the whole show, especially in big chorus numbers like 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'.

The cleverly designed set was used to the utmost to provide interesting visual scenes. These were made the most of by Ali Ross and his team, who created spectacular lighting effects including pyrotechnics.

It was, of course, a musical first and foremost, so the band was an essential ingredient. The singing and musical direction of the show was in the very capable hands of Tish Tindall. The band – John Watson, Paul Cook, Andy McIntosh, David French and Daniel Pearson – did a fantastic job and had the audience feeling like champions of the world.

The direction of the show was down to Norma Watson. It was a great credit to her vision and hard work over the past months that Elgin audiences were able to experience a show of this calibre.

A show of this size and standard does not happen overnight, but takes months of rehearsing and organising, as Norma and producer, Anne Duncan, know only too well.

Well done to the whole team for producing a show that certainly had no time for losers and rocked us all! – H.E.

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