Imagine the theatrical rock of Queen, but with five powerful vocalists, a full band, dancers, videos—in other words, “a fresh twist” to the typical concert experience.

 

“It’s a hybrid of a rock ’n’ roll concert and a Broadway musical,” said RJ Durell, who is codirecting/choreographing with Nick Florez the show Tenors of Rock (ToR)—also the performers’ name—which Filipinos will see live tomorrow, Aug. 13, at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater.

 

Its website says that ToR— composed of brothers Gaz and David Richards, Jonathan Williams, Jimmy Denning and Tommy Sherlock—was formed in the United Kingdom to “reinvent the standard male vocal group and create a seriously high-

profile rock experience. The vocal range and harmonic complexity pushes new boundaries and sets ToR apart from all other vocal groups.”

 

In 2013 ToR performed to over 150,000 people at Hyde Park for the London Olympics, on a bill that included Tom Jones, Mcfly and Snow Patrol.

 

After conquering Europe, the group made it to the final seven of UK’s “The X Factor.”

 

“People went nuts,” said Durell. “They’re these big, everyday normal guys whom you don’t expect to sing in a spectacular way. You’re transported because the songs they sing are tied in to many memories.”

 

Think Bon Jovi, Dire Straits, Guns ’N Roses, Queen—in Pinoy lingo, the sacred canon of “slow rock” classics—plus AC/DC, Kiss, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, what else could you ask for?

 

The Los Angeles-based Durell and Florez happened to have worked with the likes of Madonna, Katy Perry and Pink in their respective tours.

 

“We’ve taken a bit of what we’ve done with those pop stars and put it in this show,” said Florez, adding that they wanted something magnificent and theatrical without losing the “feel” of a rock concert.

 

Florez also pointed out: “What’s fun for us is working with a Filipino crew that helped put the show together in a small amount of time.”

 

For an idea of the ToR members’ musical background:

 

Gaz Richards, who founded the group in 2010, was born in South Wales and attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. At age 19, Gaz played the role of Jean Valjean for the European Youth Premiere’s adaptation of “Les Misérables.” His big break came when he played the lead in “Bat Boy” at London’s West End.

 

Gaz’s younger brother David, also from Cardiff, Wales, has been with the group since its formation.

 

Prior to joining ToR, Williams worked in the West End as a performer in numerous musicals, including playing Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables.”

 

Denning, born in Glasgow, Scotland, comes from a family of performers, his parents Jimmy Nairn and Sue Denning having done stints in cruise ships and sister Lara, in the West End. Jimmy landed a part in “Buddy” in 2001 and became a regular in various productions also in the West End.

 

Sherlock, from The Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool, started out as a dancer, appearing in “Wicked,” “Footloose” and “Hair” before joining ToR.

 

Running for 90 minutes, Tenors of Rock is on its debut tour of Asia, with Manila as its first stop.

 

Tenors of Rock, Aug. 13, Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila; tel. 9088888; www.rwmanila.com