It is unusual in my experience for a West End show that is still doing great business in London to be made available to amateur companies. But then there is amateur and amateur. Scottish Theatre Forum Productions are only amateur because they don’t get paid, every other aspect of the performance I witnessed at the Rothes Hall Glenrothes this week was totally professional, and this goes from front of house right the way through to the actors and musicians.

As with other West End musicals such as the Abba music based Mamma Mia and Tonight’s the Night featuring Rod Stewart numbers, the songs used in this extravaganza have to be slightly adapted to fit in with the storyline of the book. As in Tonight’s the Night, the legendary Ben Elton is the author and his undoubted talent as a comedian and a writer give panache to what is a slightly surreal storyline.

Set in the future on Planet Mall, a place once known as Earth, everything is programmed from fashion to music, there is no room for creativity unless you are a rebel, known as a bohemian, and you want rock’n’roll. This manufactured, computerised world is ruled by the Killer Queen, Susan Burnett, policed by Khashoggi, Glen McGill, and the Ga Ga cops.

The Bohemians need a hero to inspire them and this is an ideal role for Galileo, Andrew Doig, together with his sometime girlfriend, rock-chick Scaramouche, Kim Shepherd, to return the world to a place where ancient rock anthems can once more be heard.

Ably assisted by Pop, Scottish Theatre Forum founder and show producer Mark Grieve, Britney, Jason Rosewier, Meat, Jennifer Singer, Big Macca, Ross Walker, a whole myriad of Bohemians, teen queens, gaga kids and super yuppies this multi- talented ensemble lead the audience through around thirty Queen hits, with good direction and imaginative choreography, making full use of a versatile and well designed set all accompanied by a tight six piece band under the musical direction of Alan Gibson and Peter Robinson. One of the things I noticed throughout was the enthusiasm that flowed from the stage. It was obvious that the cast enjoyed performing it as much as the entire audience enjoyed their performance.

So does Galileo succeed in his quest? And will he and Scaramouche do the fandango? Will the world be free of programmed music for eternity? The best way to find this out, and more, is to ensure that you get a ticket for this extravaganza before they are all snapped up. The show runs until Saturday 23 June starting at 7.30 with a matinee performance on Saturday. Tickets can be obtained at the Rothes Hall box office.

Also make sure to visit www.scottishtheatreforum.com a very interesting an informative website to keep up to date with what is happening in the world of Scottish amateur theatre.  

Thanks to Alan Potter of Stagepix.co.uk  for the photographs of the production.