MiG Ayesa, the star of 'We Will Rock You', isn't portraying the lead singer of Queen - but he could

MiG Ayesa is a rocker to the core, like the character Galileo Figaro he plays in "We Will Rock You", which has another full week onstage in Bangkok. And, like Galileo, he's pulling in legions of fans.

Born in the Philippines, raised in Sydney, former resident of London and now residing in New York City, Ayesa was a runner-up in the reality TV show "Rock Star: INXS", in which the Australian rock band scouted for a replacement for the late Michael Hutchence.

Ayesa portrayed the outcast-turned-hero Galileo in London's West End for more than two years and has since racked up more than a thousand shows, and yet he still finds it exciting.

"The key to doing any long-run shows is to listen," he says. "Rather than concentrating on what you're about to say, you concentrate on what's being said to you.

"Then what comes out should be fresh, because you're in the moment. It's the hardest thing to do, but also the greatest joy of theatre.

"There's also an element of danger," Ayesa adds. "Vocally, it's the most challenging show I've ever done. Basically, you're singing some of the greatest rock songs ever written, and originally sung by some of the greatest rock voices that ever lived.

"I don't have to pretend to sound like Freddie Mercury [the vocalist of Queen, on whose music the show is based], because I'm not playing him, but a guy in the future who is singing his songs.

"Licence has been given to me that I can sing it my way and I don't feel as though I have to compete with Freddie. His voice was really unique. He had operatic training - I haven't had any formal training at all."

Universal Records recently released Ayesa's first album, titled simply "MiG".

 "One of the songs I wrote is called 'Could It Be', and I'm very proud of it. It's about how the world is falling apart, and that I have to change how I live my life. I think you can change the world by setting an example."

See his website: www.MiG-Music.com.