Your Majesty

 Your Majesty!

Freddie tribute singer Rob Lee stood on stage with microphone in hand singing, he is wearing a yellow jacket and white trousers with a stripe down the side. He has short brown hair and a moustache. Behind him is the bands 'Brian May' who is playing a guitar, long curly brown hair, brown trousers, a black top with a white waistcoat. The stage is lit up and you can see smoke pouring across Freddie to create atmosphere.

I love the music of Queen, and, as a way of cheering myself up after a difficult time health wise, I booked for my mum and I to see Majesty, a Queen tribute band, fronted by Rob Lee, who won a TV talent show.

I’d never been to the Epstein Theatre and actually didn't know where it was. It was so easy to find! It’s literally over the road from Central Station in Liverpool. The Epstein is on the corner of School Lane, where I used to learn braille, before the pandemic hit and everywhere closed down.

The main entrance has two steps close together, so wheelchair users go in at the side and into a warehouse style lift that is manned by staff. It opens up into the foyer. At the right end is an little bar area with small, low tables, and to the left is the theatre entrance.

Wheelchair users don't have a designated space and are sat at the front just in a row that’s not really a row, just space. My mum was sat behind me.

The lights went dark and a swirling drum beat began. OH, yes, Majesty had arrived!

Due to my bad ears, I could only pick up songs such as, 'Somebody to Love', 'We Will Rock You', 'Another One Bites the Dust', 'We are the Champions (of the world)'. It was as if my ears found it confusing having to concentrate on more than one sound. Later on, my mum said she had a similar issue and thought it was because the theatre is quite small and the sound very loud, so it didn't match. Despite not being able to hear it properly, I had a great time, clapping along and even singing. When the band did an encore with the classic Bohemian Rhapsody, Rob Lee had the audience crowd singing along and waving their arms (myself included).

'Freddie' sat at a white grand piano singing into a microphone, he is wearing a yellow jacket and white trousers, there is a silver metal fan on the floor next to him and a speaker on the stage which is brightly lit.

After the show, my mum said, 'Brian May just opened the door for us.'

'Where?' I said, looking round. 'The real one?'

'No,' my mum laughed . 'The one playing him.' 😆

Overall, the wheelchair access at the Epstein is suitable: it’s got a lift, ramp and space at the front for wheelchairs. Since attending this performance I have been trying to contact the theatre about audio described shows of Twopence Across The Mersey, but despite tweeting, emailing and phoning, I didn't get any sort of reply for well over a month. The website doesn't mention audio description facilities. Indeed, the person we spoke to about purchasing tickets had never seen the Epstein Theatre advertise an audio described show. Nor have I. In not providing blind/visually impaired/disabled guests with a fully interactive experience, they are breaking the Equality Act 2010, which dictates that; 'Businesses must make reasonable adjustments' for customers. 

Although I did get an initial reply I am still waiting to hear back from the manager. Watch this space!