Back by popular demand! Johannesburg audiences are in for a musical treat when Emperors Palace hosts the world’s premier Freddie Mercury and Queen tribute show, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, for a four-week run over the Christmas period.
Performing in the Theatre of Marcellus from Friday 30 November until Monday 31 December 2018, including a rock-star worthy New Year’s Eve performance to ring in 2019, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic is set to recreate Queen’s historically famous 1986 World Tour concert on stage in SA.
The two-hour theatrical rock concert, which will showcase for the first time at Emperors Palace after previously enjoying a performance run at The Joburg Theatre in 2016, features all of the band’s greatest hits performed live including hits such as ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Are the Champions’ and ‘Fat-Bottomed Girls’.
If you’re wanting to ring in the New Year in style, this show gives ultimate rock fan the chance to sing and dance along to some of the most classic rock hits of our generation.
Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic is set to yet another smash hit for promoters, Showtime Australia, who continue to wow South African crowds with stellar crowd favourite shows such as The Greatest Love of All – The Whitney Houston Show, Tina: Simply The Best, as well as Beatlemania On Tour – all of which showcased at Emperors Palace earlier this year.
Director Johnny Van Grinsven attributes the show’s continued global success to the attention-to-detail in this mind-blowing and energetic stage show includes the costumes, instruments and even the lighting cues have been designed to replicate those seen in real Queen concerts.
Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic also attracted the attention, endorsement and eventual involvement of Freddie Mercury’s best friend, neighbour, biographer and personal assistant for 12 years: Peter Freestone.
After reviewing the show while in Singapore in 2007, Freestone contacted promoter Van Grinsven with his compliments and support for the production. A friendship ensued between these two, upon which Freestone has since toured with QIAKM globally, working as a production consultant for the show.
“I have not seen another show in the world do it better.” – Peter Freestone
Multi-talented English musician, Giles Taylor, yet again reprises the role of Freddie Mercury and is the only tribute performer in the world who sings and plays both piano and guitar live on stage.
“Freddie was known for his powerful voice and vocal range, and had a very distinct character in general, so emulating him is quite a challenge, but those details need to be just right for a show of this magnitude. True Queen fans will appreciate the attention to detail,” says Taylor.
Supporting Taylor on stage throughout this two-hour rock concert are: Australians Richie Baker, as Brian May on guitar, and Kyle Thompson, as Roger Taylor on drums, and South Africa’s very own Steven Dennett as John Deacon on bass guitar.
Tickets for this spectacular show can also be purchased via Computicket at either www.computicket.com or via Checkers and Shoprite retail stores, countrywide, and are priced between R180 and R250 each.
For further details about the show, visit: www.facebook.com/queenitsakindamagic as well as the show’s official website at www.queenitsakindamagic.com.
More about Giles Taylor
In 2014 respected English performer and multi-instrumentalist Giles Taylor took on the coveted and complex role of Freddie Mercury. Taylor’s accomplished career has seen him travel the world over the past 13 years, performing with artists such as Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Gabrielle, Rick Wakeman, The Moody Blues, Martin Taylor, Richard O’Brien, Sir Jimmy Tarbuck and Dennis Waterman. Despite this incredible roll call of colleagues, Taylor counts his role in Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic as one of the toughest musical roles he has encountered to date.
Showtime Australia
Showtime Australia is the keystone business in John Van Grinsven’s group of international entertainment companies which specialize in the production, promotion and touring of tribute shows. With more than 10 000 performances on the books and eight marquee shows currently touring the globe, Showtime Australia is the premier name in tribute entertainment.