Category: protest

“We Will Rock You” at St. Augustine’s, Trowbridge, May 27th–30th, 2026

by Ian Diddams

images by Trevor Porter & Claire Borovac

Juke box musicals tend to be little more than a string of hits, loosely linked together by a fairly weak storyline, and it must be said “We Will Rock You” breaks no moulds in this regard. However, Queen’s wonderful music provides a joyous couple of hours wrapped around a tale of a dystopian future where real music has been replaced by a totalitarian approach to manufactured music allied to an oppressive state a.k.a. Globalsoft, where a bunch of outcasts and renegades run a guerrilla style existence hunted by the security forces on a renamed earth – now iPlanet. A sort of melange of Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” meets “2112” by Rush in a “Robin Hood’s Merry men” saga with Star Wars’ vibes topped with a King Arthur reference, all vaguely linked by Freddie and friends. It must also be mentioned, and applauded, that the references and jokes have been kept contemporary since its initial scripting twenty-five years ago.

It’s a challenging show to undertake – firstly the iconic status of the music, and the unique styles of Mercury’s voice wrapped up in what is really a tribute act turned into a stage show. Secondly Ben Elton’s acerbic wit as the jokes, knob gags, and satire come thick and fast. And not to omit, in this glorious heatwave we are enjoying at the moment, thirdly the cast, band and crew sweltering away during the show! But Trowbridge Musical Theatre (TMT) with their typically large cast of almost forty members deliver the show at St. Augustine’s this week with style, energy and smiles galore, directed by Petra Schofield and produced by Maria Matthews.

The set (“Bright”) is simple but effective providing multiple height levels and stage depth; sound and lighting (Harry Sandford, Chris Sealy & Harry Weissenbruch, and Ryo Rosemann) provided top effects and follow spot, and the standard excellence of the back stage management and crew (Chris Isaacson, Nicky Runyeard-Hunt, Cameron Runyeard-Hunt, Bernice Hudson, Stewart Langford) kept everything smoothly ticking along; the sign of a good back stage crew is that you never know they are there – plaudits to them. Costumes, hair and make-up are an “unseen” team, although their input is critical to a show’s success and Karen Grant, Sandra Tucker, Lucy Adeney and Lyn Taylor deserve kudos in this area.

As a jukebox musical of course the band are an all-important and integral part of the show, so step forward Musical Director (Helen Heaton), keyboards (Helen Heaton and Sian Noctor), guitars (David May and Ben Jones), bass (Owen Heaton), drums (Alex Kemp) and percussion (Helen Altoft) who delivered the Queen “sound” – how marvellous to have a guitarist named May  in the band too! All too often a band’s volume can overpower the voices especially as in this case when the band is between the stage and audience, but levels were delightfully placed to support but not drown out the singing…  though during the big instrumentals, the lead guitar and drums could have been louder to just give that OOOMPH we have all come to love from Brian May and Roger Taylor 😊… But then again that may (ba doom tish!) just be me who likes his music LOUD!!!

No musical theatre show is ever complete without a wonderful ensemble and as ever with TMT shows, these ensembles were a highlight with tight choreography and slick background singing and stage presence. Its not realistic to mention the nigh on thirty ensemble members all individually, and its possibly unfair to just single one of them out, but I do have to say Yvonne Paulley shone throughout with her happy, smiling face, clearly enjoying herself to the maximum (and that is no slight on all the others either of course!). Regarding the choreography, Dani Fuke has clearly worked tirelessly with the entire cast, and especially the ensemble, to create such seamless excellence – bravo BRAVO!

Andrew Curtis plays the role of “Buddy” which for story purposes acts as a sort Greek chorus, providing the context and background to various key plot information. “Buddy” because his character is named after Buddy Holly though Andrew skilfully provides at times a Ben Elton lookalike as well as Buddy Holly during the show to provide an homage to the scriptwriter 😊

Ryan Chown as Brit (Britney Spears) and the ever excellent Daisy Woodruffe as Oz (Ozzie Osbourne) combine with Buddy to set the scene and bring the early plot along as a loving couple intent on fulfilling their innate desires to rebel against Globalsoft, and Chris Howlett provides one half of the oppressive Globalsoft dictatorship  as Khashoggi, the head of secret police with distinct Gestapo overtones.


The other half of the evil empire, the supreme leader of iPlanet, Killer Queen, is superbly played by Keeley Guyan in her TMT debut. Her strong vocals and stage presence shine through and she totally makes her solos her own.

That just leaves us with Carisma Dolphin as Scaramouche and Noah Heard as Galileo; both are excellent in their characterisation and delivery, Carisma especially as her portrayal of the uber sassy, girl power confidence imbued heroine of this piece.  Their on-stage chemistry as a couple grows throughout the show in line with their characters’ relationship, quite wonderfully done, and their duets were simply perfect. Now – it’s a tough call for anyone to take on songs by Freddie Mercury, and not even George Michael could fill those huge boots, but both Noah and Carisma had clearly worked hard to emulate some of Mercury’s intonations and delivery. Chapeau!

I began with a comment about jukebox musicals being just great songs and a weak storyline, but it is only fair to add that amongst this daft storyline, there are some real connections to historical and contemporary issues…  dictatorships, rebellions, oppression, the struggles of minorities, bread-and-circuses state control and so on; maybe unsurprising given Ben Elton’s past as an irony heavy stand-up comic and satirical author. So, while this is a light hearted show nonetheless it does deal with some genuinely terrible concepts beneath its surface and it is worth a moment of reflection.

“We Will Rock You” is performed by Trowbridge Musical Theatre at St. Augustine’s Catholic College, Trowbridge from May 27th until 30th, at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/trowbridge-musical-theatre

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs Stolen Drone Footage Reveals a Beaufont Hunt Kill

Retrieved footage from a stolen drone of the Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs reveals the Beaufont Hunt making a fox kill earlier this month, and it’s undeniable evidence of their despicable crimes against our wildlife….

The Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs have exposed The Beaufort Hunt numerous times, recording a kill on the Fosse Way in November 2025, on the Duke’s Badminton Estate in December, and another at Cranmore Farm, Shipton Moyne, in January this year.

This distressing footage was recorded earlier this month at Commonwood Farm, Luckington. It clearly shows a fox hiding the hedgerow, the hounds doubling to the exact spot where a field rider was waiting, and dragging the terrified fox from the edge of the hedge, tearing it apart. The fox is then killed in front of hunters, who do nothing to stop the attack.

If this sickens you, the next part of the process is utterly terrible; the cover-up. Whilst they bag the remains of the fox, their terrier‑men and hunt supporters surround the drone, waiting for it to land, in an attempt to steal it, while the sabs rush to protect it. This is now common practice added into their “traditional country sport.”

The Police were called, and an officer from the Roads Policing Unit took the drone. “He just took it,” The Sabs explained, “he didn’t say what powers and didn’t give a receipt, hence we call it a theft.” Meanwhile, many of the terrier-men, with “registration plates deliberately muddied out,” realising they too were being recorded, fled. Police engaged with the leader, but not with the sabs. A rural crime officer viewed the footage on the drone controller, and another officer from Chippenham Response also attended.

The Rural Police Unit seized the drone containing vital evidence, but did nothing to stop the hunt, or locate the remains of the fox, disposed of in a bin bag, according to the sabs. The drone was returned to Wiltshire Hunt Sabs, following a week‑long campaign exposing the circumstances of its seizure. The evidence has now been posted to their social media platforms.

This leaves me with little faith the new laws will do anything to stop this, if police do not act on them. Because, there was me thinking the objective of the police is to prevent crime, not just punish after a crime is committed? I asked the Wiltshire Hunt Sabs how they feel about these new rules regarding trial hunts, and if they think it will really make a difference?

“It’s hard to say without knowing what the government will implement,” a spokesperson told me. “Any improvement is welcomed but this is our only opportunity to get rid of the loopholes – and the government must make sure it doesn’t introduce new ones.”

“The Hunt Saboteurs Association has produced a brilliant booklet detailing the key changes needed to ensure an effective ban on hunting wildlife with proper sentencing deterrents. Currently the Hunting Act allows only for a fine, which isn’t a deterrent or punishment for fox hunters with deep pockets. Landowners and hunt management also need to be held accountable more often too; they are supportive of their law-breaking hunt staff. Trail hunting needs to be banned; it isn’t an activity in itself, it simply exists only as a legal defence. Reckless clauses will certainly hurt them as every defence comes down to “ooops, it was an accident!” It’s nigh on impossible to prove intent – as you can’t hop into anyone’s mind, even though everyone knows when fox hunters hunt or kill foxes, it’s 100% intentional.”

The continuous scroll of comments on The Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs’ social media posts show the overwhelming support for the organisation’s attempts to prevent this criminal activity, their anger this continues, and criticisms of the seemingly inactions of the Police. Myself? I call the Beaufont Hunt something which rhymes with hunt.

You can follow Wiltshire Hunt Sabs HERE and support their work HERE.

Shindig Festival Announces Bob Vylan as Headliner

The celebrated Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park announced their headline act for May bank holiday 2026, and being that it’s Bob Vylan, it is bound to open debate….

London based grime rappers Bob Vylan are no strangers to controversy through their criticisms of the establishment and calling out inequalities. Whilst they were one of many acts at last year’s Glastonbury to make statements condemning the genocide in Palestine, they seemed to take the brunt of the rightwing media assault.

Online opinions from Shindig’s announcement are already strongly divided, but mostly positive from the devoted regular attendees of this marvellous festival. Some suggest it will be great to see them live and away from media exposure, others state otherwise. One said it’s an “embarrassing choice. He’ll make it political and a hate filled performance.’ But hey, who wants to party with those in support of such barbarism?

Another suggests there’s plenty of other things they could be doing at the festival, and they need not attend this particular performance if they disagree with the social statements the band make; now there’s an idea!

The Shindig team said they are “very excited to announce one of the most vital, fearless and electrifying live acts in the UK right now. Expect high-energy, sharp lyricism and a reputation for using music as a force for conversation and change. We believe art should challenge as well as unite.” 

I find myself wondering what would become of punk if it suddenly stopped campaigning for righteousness, or what these triggered objectors would say if it was the seventies and John Lennon or Bob Marley was booked, for music has always had political or social motivations, and to censor it for the purposes of propaganda or ignorance would be sacrilegious. Well done, Shindig pose, it’s a seriously important booking.

Steatopygous go Septic

If you believe AI, TikTok and the rest of it all suppress Gen Z’s outlets to convey anger and rage, resulting in a generation of anxiety and mental health concerns, I might take your point as marginally valid, but I’d add politely as I possibly could, “have you, perchance, had the pleasure of listening to Steatopygous? They’re from Devizes, don’t you know?!” Then I’d await the pending detonation of a shocked expression…..

That’s punk, and what it set out to do decades ago, and that is the quality hidden within the rolling drums, raging guitars and screaming vocals of this homegrown riot grrrl four-piece who with their latest single Septic will shake the foundations for as far as it’s willing to travel. Septic, if anything previous from Steatopygous will be the baseplate on how they move from here. Whilst it remains DIY, as it should, it has the produced balance of natural progression and leaves you anticipating what’s to come from this emerging band.

Image: Kiesha Films

It’s punk on a SmallTown Tigers level, in your face and demanding you pay attention.

On the theme of body image, it takes no prisoners. Fronted by Poppy Hillier with bassist Eliza Brindle, drummer Ewan Middleton and an additional Rufus on guitar who wrote the song, Steatopygous, you’ve really gone and done it now; this is a pinnacle track to your development as a force to be reckoned with, this is outrageous, and I love it!

Swindon Palestine Solidarity Host Summer Fete

Swindon Palestine Solidarity will be hosting a summer fete on Saturday 23rd August, at 12.30pm – 3.30pm. They need volunteers from 11am – 4 pm. at The Broadgreen Community Centre, Salisbury St, Swindon SN1 2AN….

Bring the family to float a boat for Gaza, send a postcard to Gaza, or play ring toss, ball toss, or knock down alley, knocking down injustice one throw at a time! There will be food, Palestinian embroidery, Arabic calligraphy, face painting, and henna. Have a go at tumbling the apartheid wall or on the watermelon shy! 

Funds are being raised to send Swindon Palestine Solidarity delegate Liaquth Ali as a volunteer, joining the A thousand Madleens to Gaza flotilla.

In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing illegal siege imposed by Israel, a historical global initiative – The 1000 Flotilla: Call to break the siege – is being launched to mobilise an unprecedented international civil fleet to challenge the maritime blockade and deliver life-saving aid directly to the besieged people of Gaza.

This initiative calls upon civil society, humanitarian organisations, trade unions, faith-based movements, maritime workers and peace loving individuals from every continent to contribute ships, crews, medical supplies, food and solidarity.

The aim is to assemble a thousand vessels, symbolic of the global unity and determination, to peacefully defy the blockade and demand an immediate end to the collective punishment of over two million Palestinians.

Liaquth Ali said, “I’ve decided to join the flotilla because I believe this could be Gaza’s last chance at survival. If we don’t act boldly and urgently, the suffering will only spread, and the West Bank could be next. I can’t sit back while children are bombed and starved, but I’ve also seen hope, our Swindon community and people across the UK rising with courage and solidarity. The world is waking up. Now is the time for action. Every bit of support matters.”

A recent protest by Doctors Against Genocide said, “We are living through a catastrophe unlike any in history. 90% of Gaza’s population has now reached stage 5 malnutrition, the most severe and deadly level. At this stage many cannot be saved.”

Lynn Boylan Member of the European Parliament said “For me, the deep frustration is that the EU has had ample opportunity to do the right thing and they have failed to do that. They have failed to take a single action against Israel. They have a list of actions that they could do, and they are not doing a single one. I hope that they witness, through this flotilla, through the people power, through the mobilisation of people on the streets, that they are on the wrong side of history. They should implement every single item on that list: no trade with Israel, a two way arms embargo, sanctions on the Israeli government, and upholding the ICC arrest warrants.“

To support this cause and help send the Swindon Palestine Solidarity delegate from Swindon, please join Swindon Palestine Solidarity at the fete. If you would like to volunteer on the day, or have any questions, please contact Swindon Palestine Solidarity on Facebook, Insta @swindonpalestinesolidarity or email info@swindonpalestinesolidarity.org

Swindon Palestine Solidarity Upcoming Events

Swindon Palestine Solidarity continues to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed to enter Gaza…..

Their three recent roadside sign actions generated a lot of positive responses. It’s an effective way to keep people talking about what is happening in Gaza and these actions will be one of the many ways that SPS will continue to campaign.

On Thursday 12th June from 6 – 9pm, people can join us for Stitched in Solidarity, a free sewing workshop at the Bangladesh Centre, County Road, SN1 2EW. Participants can stitch a leaf with their messages of solidarity, or just add their name. The leaves will be added to the large olive tree on the banner, which will be used in protests and public exhibitions. This is a great way for people to add their voices, especially for those who can’t attend protests, but want to be a part of the movement. A free place can be reserved on Eventbrite – Stitched in Solidarity or by emailing info@swindonpalestinesolidarity.org

SPS has called for a local march in Swindon on Saturday 14th June at 1.30pm starting at Regent Circus. 

A spokesperson said, ‘The narrative from politicians and journalists is shifting. It’s really important to keep up the pressure and to let them know that we want the people of Gaza to have the food, water, shelter and medical aid that they need. Thousands of them are in immediate danger of starving to death. We demand a ceasefire. Our government should not be sending arms. We previously had 1000 people protesting in Swindon and want the next local protest to be even bigger. We are being joined by members of the local mosques, so let’s show our solidarity with the Palestinian people.’

A coach has been booked to take supporters to the next London protest on 21st June. Leaving Swindon at 8am, and returning at approximately 7.30pm. 

The spokesperson said ‘There were over 500,000 people at the last national protest for Palestine in London. It was noticeable that directly after that march was when the narrative about the plight of the Palestinians started to change. The next London march needs to be even bigger.’ 

To reserve a seat on the coach, go to Eventbrite – SPS Coach to national protest 21 June from Swindon – or email info@swindonpalestinesolidarity.org  There is a charge of £13.70 per person, but people can donate more to help cover the subsidised seats. Please contact Swindon Palestine Solidarity if you want to come but can’t afford a seat.

‘We know there is a lot of support for Palestine in Swindon. Hundreds of people have honked their horns and put their thumbs up during our roadside actions. If you aren’t already involved in anything to show support for the people of Palestine, why not come along to a march, either locally or nationally. If marching isn’t for you, you can join the stitching event or a roadside sign action, follow us on social media, join our WhatsApp groups, help fundraise or organise, come to a film night or talk. You can see, sign and share articles, petitions and actions. It all puts the pressure on for the positive changes so many of us want to see. Our charity quiz and meal last week raised over £900 for GINA (Gaza Infant Nutrition Alliance) which works to establish a continuous milk supply and education for breastfeeding support where it is most needed. Starving mothers are struggling to keep their newborn babies alive. There are so many ways to get involved, we urge everyone to ‘DO SOMETHING!’ 

More information about Swindon Palestine Solidarity