The legendary guitarist was joined on stage at the end of the spectacular production by writer Ben Elton, who thanked everyone for supporting the production on it's first visit to the Sunderland Empire.

We Will Rock You uses the songs of Queen – including all the favourites like I Want To Break Free, and Killer Queen, to tell the bizarre futuristic story of the quest to find real music in a digital age.

Earth has become Planet Mall – run by the evil Killer Queen and the Globalsoft Corporation, and all musical instruments are banned.

Music is created via computers and anyone caught fighting out against the corporation is quickly silenced.

But there is hope in the form of a group of bohemian rebels who believe in the legend of rock, and await a dreamer who can bring rock music back.

The cast was faultless – with the amazing Jonathan Wilkes as chief of the secret police Khashoggi, the incredible Brenda Edwards as the Killer Queen, whose singing truly was sensational, and not forgetting Coronation Street's Curly Watts, Kevin Kennedy, as ageing hippy Pop.

There are some brilliant one-liners delivered superbly by Sarah French-Ellis as Scaramouche, and Alex Gaumond who plays Galileo.

We Will Rock You is a real crowd pleaser – with audiences across the country giving each performance a well-deserved standing ovation.

While the story-line may be a little tongue-in-cheek, the music is unashamedly brilliant, and the unannounced appearance of Brian May topped off an incredible show.

We Will Rock You is at the Sunderland Empire until Saturday, June 27.

Tickets priced £18 to £32.50 are available by calling 0844 847 2499 or online at www.sunderlandempire.org.uk