Recognised as the First Lady of West End musicals, KERRY ELLIS has forged a long-standing musical relationship and friendship with Queen guitarist Brian May, who describes the stage star as having “Britain’s most beautiful voice”.
Now Ellis is joining Scandinavian tribute stars Queen Machine for an electrifying rock show and fully orchestrated UK tour, celebrating the music of rock legends Queen. The performers will be accompanied by the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra and conducted by Matthew Freeman, promising an unforgettable night of rock anthems.
Making their UK touring debut, Queen Machine are affiliated to the Official International Queen Fan Club and are one of the most popular bands in their native Denmark and neighbouring Scandinavian countries where they repeatedly sell out shows.
Queen Machine frontman Bjarke Baisner and Ellis will be belting out Queen’s iconic hits such as ‘We Will Rock You, Killer Queen’, ‘Somebody to Love’, ‘Barcelona’ and, of course, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to the backing of a full symphonic experience from the band and the orchestra.
Kerry Ellis is a star of the West End and Broadway with credits including being the first British Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked before transferring to Broadway playing the same role. She has also played Nancy in Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Grizabella in Cats at the London Palladium, Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre, Ellen in the UK tour of Miss Saigon and more recently Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. She made her West End debut as Eliza Doolittle in 2001 in My Fair Lady.
After meeting Queen guitarist Brian May in 2002, Ellis expanded her repertoire as a solo artist. Studio albums included Anthems (2010), which reached number 15 on the UK Albums Chart, the self-titled Kerry Ellis (2014), Golden Days (2017) and Feels Like Home (2020) as well as an extended play Wicked in Rock (2008) and a live album Acoustic by Candlelight (2013). Ellis and May have performed in concert all over the world
Here Kerry continues Musical Theatre Review’s interview series: Five Questions With…
You have lots of projects on the boil but we have to start with Queen Machine Symphonic. Can you tell us more about how this touring show came about? It must be such an exciting prospect, to perform Queen songs alongside both Queen Machine and the London Symphonic Orchestra.
Yes it’s been a really busy year for me already with Anything Goes touring and ending at the Barbican in London but also getting to get my rock chick on and sing all those wonderful Queen songs again with an amazing orchestra and Queen Machine. It is going to be pure joy and I cannot wait.
Queen music is a big part of your life now and opens up a whole other musical world to you alongside theatre. Had you any idea your collaboration with Brian May would be so life-changing?
Not at all. I had no idea meeting Brian would change my life in so many ways. It opened my world up to rock music but more importantly it opens my music world to being myself and producing and singing and performing music that I wanted to sing. Brian’s taught me so much over the years; he’s been a mentor a friend and inspiration. He’s now like part of the family and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities that have come from performing with him.
You have recently finished playing Reno in the hit production of the all-singing, all-dancing Anything Goes. Was it a role you had always had your eye on?
Playing Reno was an absolute dream come true. We’ve had a phenomenal cast and I loved being back in my dance shoes. It’s had been over 20 years since I tapped, and never live on stage, so it was quite a challenge but I loved it. Parts like this just don’t come along very often so I was so honoured, grateful and excited to play her.
So many others projects: The Lady M musical, your latest recordings, your book, the podcast! Can you give us an update?
Do you know I’m just grateful to have so much variety in my life and career. I love musicals and performing but I also love recording music and doing my podcast. My new album will be out later this year and it is all original songs and I think it will be amazing. We have a brilliant producer working on it as we speak.
Impossible question, but can you pick out a special highlight from your career so far?
There are so many! But performing in Verona with Brian still gives me chills. Check it out on YouTube, it’s a breath-taking event.
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