Cape Town will be given the opportunity to relive the glory days of Freddie Mercury and his iconic band Queen when Artscape Opera House hosts the world’s premier Queen tribute show Queen – It’s A Kinda Magic for a two-week run this November.

Recreating Queen’s 1986 World Tour concert, the show features all of the band’s greatest hits performed live including We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions and Fat-Bottomed Girls. Careful attention has been paid to all the music – the iconic voice of Mercury, the amazing guitar solos of May and the groundbreaking rock harmonies – plus audiences can expect all the big sound, lighting, effects and costumes of a full-scale rock concert.

The show is expected to be yet another hit for promoters Artscape Opera House who wowed sell-out crowds and drew critical acclaim for The Greatest Love of All – The Whitney Houston Show that played Artscape earlier this year.

In fact Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic is good enough to have attracted the attention, endorsement and eventual involvement of Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s best friend, neighbour, biographer and personal assistant for 12 years.

After reviewing the show while in Singapore in 2007, Freestone was duly impressed and contacted promoter John Van Grinsven with his compliments. A friendship ensued and Freestone now tours with QIAKM where his schedule allows, acting as a production consultant for the show as well as signing autographs and chatting with Queen fans.

Englishman Giles Taylor will spearhead the role of Freddie Mercury with support from Australians Richie Baker, as Brian May on guitar, and Kyle Thompson, as Roger Taylor on drums, and South Africa’s Steven Dennett as John Deacon on bass.

In 2014 Taylor took on the coveted and complex role of Freddie Mercury. His 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.

“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.

NEED TO KNOW

Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic runs from November 10-22 at Artscape Opera House. Tickets at Computicket.