A SHOW bringing the unforgettable magic of Queen comes to Bournemouth Pavilion on Tuesday, February 25.

Here, Lauren Samuels, who stars in rock and symphonic spectacular Queen Symphonic: A Rock Orchestra Experience tells us about her musical career and what we can expect from the show.

The show includes full symphonic arrangements blended with a great rock band and performers honouring the greatest hits of Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody; We Are the Champions; Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You and more…

*How did you start out in the theatre?

My mother took me to the theatre from a young age, so I always had a passion for it. I think I was around the age of 7 when I asked if I could have acting lessons and so my mum found a private drama tutor near us where I would go every week and work towards my LAMDA and RADA acting exams. I did that right up until the age of 18. I also joined the youth theatre near me and a few other amateur dramatic societies just to get me on the stage! I loved it all!

*Who inspired you?

My mother definitely inspired me. She would not only play piano and sing songs from the shows for me, which led to my love of singing, but she also joined all the dramatic societies with me! So we would perform together in shows, sometimes as mother and daughter! Theatre has always been a big part of our close bond.

*What does it mean to you starring in the Queen Symphonic tour?

I have always been a huge fan of Queen. Their music inspired generations to come. My respect for them grew when I was cast as the leading role of Scaramouche in Queens musical We Will Rock You. I couldn’t believe my luck, getting to sing Queen songs every single night on a west end stage. It really was incredible. I also then when on to do the We Will Rock You 10th Anniversary Arena Tour which was nothing short of amazing. I honestly felt like a rock star!

*Have you met any of the Queen members?

Yes! Many times! Roger and Brian are heavily involved with the casting process of WWRY, so I met them pretty early on during my auditions. But they’re also very involved with the show itself so I’ve been lucky enough to share the stage with them both at The Dominion Theatre but also at The Olivier Awards and at various arenas during the tour. The feeling of being on stage with actual rock gods is amazing!!

*When you appeared in the BBC talent show ‘Over The Rainbow – what did you take away from that experience and did it open doors for you?

I think the most I took away was how thick skinned you have to be in this industry. You will get a lot of knock backs, you will get judged a lot on your talent and your appearance, you will he told you’re not good enough over and over but you have to learn to dust yourself off, pick yourself up and believe in yourself enough to carry on. I’m very lucky to have appeared on OTR and I never forget that. Such a public audition process of course gets your name out there. I met some fantastic people on that show, and even though it’s now been ten years!! I still get asked about it regularly.

What is your favourite role you have ever played?

I hold lots of different parts close to my heart for many different reasons. Every experience teaches you something and every show you come out stronger and with more knowledge. But if I had to choose one, and you may think this is cliche, but it would be Scaramouche. There honestly is nothing like the feeling of singing Queen songs every night.

*Any message for the readers of the Bournemouth Echo?

I’m so looking forward to being in Bournemouth with Queen Symphonic. Not only is it a beautiful place to perform, but it’s be quite a few years since I’ve had the chance to sing Queen again, so I’m looking forward to rocking out with everyone! See you there!

*Queen Symphonic: A Rock Orchestra, Bournemouth Pavilion, February 25, 7.30pm.

Tickets are £39 - £51, available from the pavilion website or by contacting the box office.