Stars get ready to really rock you Q&A WITH WE WILL ROCK YOU’S WILLIAM DEANE AND DANICA MANSON

• Author: Ilona Hanne
• Published date: 24 May 2023
• Publication title: Stratford Press

■ Neither of you is new to the role you play in this production, with Danica having played Scaramouche in Palmerston North in 2021, and William having played Galileo in 2019 in Auckland. So what has drawn you both back to your roles

William: Galileo is the most fun role to play vocally. I mean, you are singing Queen! Then add to that the musical is written by Ben Elton, he’s such a legend in comedy, so Galileo is a role with great vocals and a fun storyline too.

Danica: Scaramouche is definitely one of my all-time favourite roles, and singing Queen is something that is every performer’s dream I think. I actually feel incredibly honoured to be able to perform Queen songs on stage.

■ Are your performances as Scaramouche and Galileo respectively different to the last time you brought the roles to life — how?

Danica: In some ways the character is similar to how I played Scaramouche in Palmy, but one thing I find interesting is in the Palmerston North version Scaramouche had an accent, but doesn’t in this one. As an actor, it’s been interesting saying the same lines, but with a different voice in a way, it means I have to think about how I draw out the intent in those lines and the meaning behind them.

William: Yes, this...