One for the die-hard fans
I can’t lie— I jumped at a chance to sing-a-long to Queen songs at the gorgeous Adelphi Theatre in London. I grew up listening to several Queen albums that my father played frequently.
Radio GaGa is a tribute to Queen; and is comprised of Mark Sanders as Freddie Mercury, Richard Ashford as Brian May, Michael Richards as Roger Taylor, Jon Caulton as John Deacon, and Ben Parkinson on the piano. Each member of the band showcased undeniable musical talent. Ashford performs May’s infamously difficult solos with aplomb, and Richards kept drawing my attention with his masterful, energetic performance.
Sanders leads the band with a nod to many of Freddie’s signature moves, as well as some of his most memorable costumes. Freddie Mercury’s vocals are notoriously challenging, and Mark Sanders admirably tackled the task. There is no doubt he has a powerful instrument, and the vocal impression of Freddie is good, however there were noticeably frequent instances where Sanders dodged the high notes (singing an alternate melody or singing down the octave), or got the audience to sing for him. He explained later that he was recovering from a cold, which may have contributed to this. The second half vocals were stronger, and the performance became more cohesive and energised overall.
The show would benefit from a director’s eye to look at structure, and some variety in staging. There were extended instrumental sections and empty stages during costume changes that disrupted the momentum. A director’s guidance to fill these empty moments, to refine the song sequence as well as the patter would not go amiss.
The inclusion of lesser-known songs in lengthy medleys no doubt would have delighted hardcore fans, but perhaps could have been shortened, or mixed with some more well-known numbers for the more mainstream fan base.
It was always going to be difficult for a tribute act to try to replicate the unique vocals, and magnetic stage presence that defined Freddie Mercury, however I highly doubt many die-hard Queen fans eager to sing along in the company of fellow enthusiasts will mind that Radio GaGa does not fully achieve this. Radio GaGa offers an enjoyable experience, and a fun night out which many of my fellow audience members were revelling in. Improvements in structure, pacing, and energy could elevate this tribute to a higher level.