Fil-Aussie star Mig Ayesa rocks Singapore

Mig Ayesa

Hit songs from legendary rock group Queen are interpreted in the hit musical We Will Rock You by no less than Mig Ayesa in Singapore's Esplanade Theatre from March 28.

26 self-empowering, uplifting and inspirational hit songs including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Killer Queen, are showcased by 29 cast members led by MiG Ayesa, the crowd-favourite finalist in the reality TV show Rock Star: INXS.

Ayesa plays Galileo Figaro in this musical comedy adventure set in the future when "live" music is banned on Earth.

A talented musician, he later leads the rebel bohemians against the powerful Globalsoft Corporation who controls people's lives by feeding them a diet of synthesised pop.

In a phone interview from Seoul, South Korea, where the show was playing, 38-year-old Ayesa said the story has an appealing universal message that "celebrates uniqueness".

"It dares you to be different by saying that it's okay to break away from conformity. My character, Galileo is full of angst. He tries to find himself in the world and eventually finds his voice through Queen songs — which he channels to express himself."

Ayesa, who has played the role in 750 performances worldwide, including in London's West End and New Zealand, said the character reminds him of himself.

"As a child, I was very shy because I stuttered. However, it disappeared when I took part in a school theatre production or sang a song. Until today, I feel that I can express myself better through music and being in this production is a dream come true."

Also a huge fan of Queen, he said: "I don't remember a time in my life when I was not singing along to Queen's songs. I remember listening to Bohemian Rhapsody (from Queen's 1975 album A Night at the Opera) at the age of five and was so amazed by it."

He reminisced: "I didn't know what the song meant at that time. To me, it was silly and great at the same time because it made me want to jump around the room singing along at the top of my voice to the words."

Born in Manila and raised in Sydney, Ayesa moved to London shortly after his marriage to dancer/actress Simone de la Rue in 2002 to pursue his career as a recording artiste.

"The first show I saw in London was We Will Rock You and I said to myself 'hey, I can do this!' To me it's a rock concert set in a narrative style. I don't see it (performing in musical theatre) as a diversion from my true calling. I am still reaching my goals, but I am taking a different route."

His theatre credits both in Australia and Britain include the West End production of Rent, Buddy, Grease, Cinderella, Aladdin and West Side Story ("apart from Galileo, Tony from West Side Story is another one of my all-time favourite character).

"I remember visiting Kuala Lumpur for the touring production of Fame: The Musical in Istana Budaya in 2002. I had such a wonderful time there and hope I will get to come back soon," he said, naming Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder as his musical inspirations.

We Will Rock You is written/directed by Ben Elton with Queen's members Brian May and Roger Taylor largely contributing to the show's concepts, ideas and, to a certain degree, the cast selection.

"I just landed a role as Angel in Rent, when Brian May asked me if I wanted to audition for Galileo. Getting the part was a dream come true," he said, adding that he took over the role in 2003 from Tony Vincent, who was cast as Galileo for the show's 2002 opening season.

The Singapore season of the show, generically dubbed "jukebox musical" (just like Mamma Mia! which revolves around hits songs by Abba), will also see New Zealand pop princess Annie Crummer reprising her role as Killer Queen.

We Will Rock You is currently the longest-running show at London's Dominion theatre.

With sets by Mark Fisher (whose works include Cirque de Soleil Las Vegas) and choreography by Arlene Phillips (Starlight Express, Grease, Saturday Night Fever), it boasts state-of-the art visuals with breathtaking dance moves.