West End star Kerry Ellis and Danish Freddie Mercury look-and-sound-alike set to rock Edinburgh

The music of Freddie Mercury and Queen will be celebrated like never before when Ellis joins the Scandinavian tribute stars and the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Freeman.

Making their UK touring debut, Queen Machine are the go-to tribute band for the Official International Queen Fan Club, while Ellis, who originated the role of Meat in the Queen musical We Will Rock You, has since forged a long-standing musical relationship and friendship with the band’s guitarist Brian May. May described the musical theatre star as having, “Britain’s most beautiful voice.”

Conducting the tour will be Matthew Freeman, who originally reworked the music of Queen for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2011 and conducted their Symphonic Queen concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011 and 2014.

Queen Machine is fronted by young Freddie Mercury look and sound-alike Bjarke Baisner, who is joined in the band by Peter Møller Jeppesen on guitar, Henrik Østergaard on keys, Jens Lunde on bass and Paolo Romano Torquati on drums.

Ben Hatton, of promoters Cuffe and Taylor, says, “For fans of the incredible music of Queen this promises to be a must-see show. Brian May describes Kerry Ellis’s voice as ‘perfect’, and she’s long been associated with her versions of Queen tracks.

“Bringing together the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra with the powerhouse performances of Kerry and Queen Machine, to perform those iconic hits - We Will Rock You, Killer Queen, Somebody To Love, Barcelona and, of course, Bohemian Rhapsody - promises to create a truly sensational celebration of one of the most iconic bands in musical history.”

One of the UK’s Top 10 live music and event promoters, Cuffe & Taylor were established 10 years ago and are now part of the Live Nation family, working with the likes of Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Sheridan Smith, Britney Spears, Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Kylie Minogue, Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Stereophonics and Lewis Capaldi.

Queen formed in 1971, signing their first recording contract for EMI in 1973. A year later they played their first UK and US headline tours. Comprising Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, estimates of Queen’s record sales vary from 170 million to 300 million records world-wide. Their success was cut short when, on 23 November 1991, their charismatic front man Freddie Mercury announced that he had AIDS. He died peacefully at his home, surrounded by family and friends, the following day.

Queen Machine Symphonic featuring Kelly Ellis and the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Wednesday 15 April, 7.30pm, £38.50-£60.50, www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/queen-machine-symphonic

West End star Kerry Ellis and Danish Freddie Mercury look-and-sound-alike set to rock Edinburgh - here's where to see them