Ahead of the much-anticipated return of Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic to Singapore this 19 to 21 September at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, we caught up with the show’s magnetic frontman Warren Vernon-Driscoll.
More than a tribute, this international hit production is a full-blown theatrical recreation of Queen’s legendary concerts. And at its heart is Warren—a classically trained vocalist and musician who channels Freddie Mercury with uncanny power and precision. Not only does he sing every song in Freddie’s original key (a rarity in the tribute circuit), but he also performs live on piano and guitar, delivering a performance that’s both technically staggering and emotionally resonant.
In this exclusive interview, Warren dives into vocal technique, theatrical detail, and the magic of keeping Freddie’s spirit alive night after night.
You’re the only professional Freddie Mercury tribute artist performing all songs in the original key — what made you commit to that choice, and what does it add to the experience for fans?
I feel that when you lower the key for any of Queen or Freddie Mercury's music you take away the energy and magic of the music. It's supposed to be challenging, even Freddie struggled to sing his own music live and that’s what made it special and full of energy because of all the effort it takes to deliver a great performance.
Most tribute acts lower the key. For the casual listener, what are they missing when that happens?
You lose the energy and feeling of the music. I guarantee you that if you had to play a Queen song to someone in a lower key, something would feel off and they wouldn’t be able to say what it is.
What’s one Queen song that tests your vocal stamina the most — and how do you train for it physically and mentally?
In terms of challenging songs, I'd say 'The Show Must Go On' is extremely challenging due to the vocal range required to sing in full voice, but Queen is challenging in general. (Laughs)
I personally find that physical fitness is incredibly important to be able to sustain a two-hour, high energy performance, especially on the cardio side of things. Before a show I usually do an hour-long vocal warm-up focusing on vocal agility and stretching of my range in order to prepare.
What’s one vocal habit you had to unlearn to properly channel Freddie Mercury’s voice and stage presence?
I don’t think I had to unlearn anything. I studied classical singing, specialising in Baroque music at university, and classical singing technique is the foundation of singing I feel, so I rely heavily on my singing technique to be able to perform in a sustainable and healthy way. Having said that, the voice is a muscle and it does get tired, so sleep, rest and keeping hydrated are equally important.
Are there any Queen deep cuts you wish were in the setlist, either because they’re fun to sing or technically fascinating?
I love the songs 'Tie Your Mother Down' and 'Made in Heaven' off the top of my head right now. I'd love to sing those, but Queen is one of those bands that had an incredible number of hit songs. There’s simply not enough time in two hours to sing them all and cover all the big ones that fans love.
You’ve said this isn’t about impersonation. What are the subtle Freddie-isms you choose to keep — and where do you bring in your own artistic flair?
I always say that there will always and only ever be one Freddie Mercury, so I pay tribute to him in the best ways that I can relate to him. Which is by singing his music in the correct key, using his mannerisms and dressing the same way he did. My humour on stage is very similar to Freddie’s but is also my own, I also speak in my own accent on stage so there is a little bit of Warren on stage too.
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From lighting cues to audience prompts, how deep does the research go to authentically recreate Queen’s concerts on a theatre stage?
We’ve made a massive effort to be as authentic as possible to the real Queen. We want you to forget that you're watching a tribute band. I wear replicas of Freddie’s outfits even down to the exact Adidas boxing boots he wore on stage. Rusty Red who plays Brian May plays an exact replica of Brian May's guitar, the “Red Special”. Rusty and I have also been massive Queen fans from our early teenage years, so we have a personal goal of being as close to the real thing as physically possible.
Has the creative team ever restructured a scene or musical transition based on your vocal insights or physical performance feedback?
We all work closely together to make sure the audience's experience is nothing short of amazing, so all of our performance decisions put our listeners first, and my job is to make sure I deliver the best performance regardless of the challenge.
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What’s a small detail in the show — maybe lighting, costume, or movement — that hardcore Queen fans would appreciate if they spotted it?
There are so many things, like little Easter eggs or snippets of songs hidden within transitions or introductions to other songs. There are also many ridiculous costume changes to look out for. I won’t give too much away. (Laughs)
Finally, audience participation is huge in a Queen show. How do you design moments like the 'Radio Ga Ga' claps or the 'Day-Oh' chants to feel spontaneous yet familiar?
You’ll find that most Queen fans don’t need to be encouraged or structured. Everyone knows exactly what is coming and what to do, so I'd say it's a naturally organised spontaneity (Laughs).
Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic runs 19 to 21 September at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. Tickets are now available on Marina Bay Sands Ticketing, SISTIC and Klook.
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