Simon Gordon (Queen by Candlelight)

Queen by Candlelight is a staged concert that boasts an incredible night of over 25 Queen anthems performed by candlelight by an incredible array of West End performers. Queen by Candlelight has completed over 300 sold-out shows across the World, and will be heading to the London Palladium for a one-night-only special gala performance to celebrate 50 years of Bohemian Rhapsody. We took the opportunity to speak with Simon Gordon, who is co-founder of Kinda Dusty Ltd, the team behind these incredible concerts, to tell us more.

Q) Hello, before we begin - please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background in theatre?

I’m Simon Gordon. I started performing when I was about eight at my local Stagecoach, and I’ve been passionate about theatre ever since. I’ve played leading roles in several West End and international productions - most recently JD in Heathers, in the West End, on the UK tour, and on Amazon Prime. Alongside performing, I’ve co-founded three theatrical production companies, and for the past three years, I’ve been running Kinda Dusty Ltd with my business partner Daniel Wood.

Q) As well as working in the theatre industry as a performer, you are also co-director of Kinda Dusty - a global producer of concerts and live theatrical productions. What inspired you to make this move in your career, and have you found that your experiences as a performer have influenced or enhanced your work as a director?

I’ve always loved every side of theatre, so moving into directing and producing felt like a natural progression. As a performer, you gain a real understanding of what it takes to bring a show to life from the inside out. That perspective helps massively - it makes it easier to create an environment that supports performers and brings out their best work.

Q) Queen by Candlelight plays at London Palladium for one night only this April - what is it about Queen’s music or legacy that made their songs a key focus for this production?

Queen’s music is iconic, theatrical, and emotionally powerful - it’s made for live performance. The candlelight adds a whole new dimension, and to bring that experience to a venue as legendary as the London Palladium is going to be electric.

Q) This production boasts some of the finest talents on the West End - how does your process work for finding the performers for these concerts?

Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest performers of all time, so finding singers who can honour that legacy isn’t easy. We regularly hold open casting calls and work closely with our casting director, Jim Arnold, who is incredible. We’re very lucky to have such a brilliant cast of top West End performers who each bring something unique to every show.

Q) Queen by Candlelight has toured all over the world - how do you manage to keep the

show fresh and engaging for its audiences?

We’ve performed over 300 shows worldwide now, and each night still feels different. That’s the magic of live theatre - every audience, cast and venue brings its own energy. We work with a rotating company of singers and musicians, so no two performances are ever exactly the same.

Q) Can you give us an insight into the process of directing staged concerts as opposed to full scale productions, and what do you believe are the pros and cons of this? 

Of course, with a fully staged production, the set can be a piece of magic that brings the audience and the actors into the world of the show. The beauty of a staged concert is there’s more space and freedom for performers to move and connect - there’s less to think about in terms of hitting marks or navigating big set pieces. And we can focus on creating the perfect

atmosphere.

Q) What can audiences expect and why should audiences come along?

Audiences can expect the music of one of the greatest bands of all time, performed live by outstanding vocalists and musicians, by the glow of candlelight. It’s an unforgettable, high energy celebration of Queen’s legacy at the London Palladium. Not to be missed!

Queen by Candlelight plays at the London Palladium on 8th April 2025.

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