Enjoy the best of British

Published 4:00pm 20 March 2023

Words by Kylie Knight

Photos: BEAK Photography, Ben McShea

Redcliffe Musical Theatre and ROAR Academy will bring their production, Night of the Poms, to the stage at Redcliffe Entertainment Centre for four shows only from March 24-26.

It’s a variety concert styled on the Best of British music theatre, pop, rock, traditional music and comedy.

The show has been created and directed by Madeleine Johns, assisted by Georgia Murray, with vocal coaches Meg Kiddle, Matt Leigh, Rhonda Davidson-Irwin and Lachy Stewart and choreography by Lyndon Steele and Kayla Pehi.

Night of the Poms is presented in the style of the Royal Command Performance with more than 40 cast on stage including RMT regulars Erickson Illustre, Georgia Burnett, Matt Leigh, Kristie Rabbitt and Jordan Smith

Redcliffe Musical Theatre Director Madeleine Johns says: “it’s time to put on your tiara and pearls and get down to the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre for a right royal evening of fun and frivolity.

“I created Night of the Poms originally in 2013 to celebrate the best of British music and comedy … and so that a younger generation could appreciate and discover the amazing music from the era known as the swinging ‘60s and the hard rock of the ‘70s.

“Night of the Poms is a mixture of everything that I love about British music and comedy - a nostalgic reflection on the era I grew up in.

“Now in 2023 – 10 years later – with so much in the media about the British monarchy and with British music and comedy moving into a new era – indeed a new century – it was time to create a new and updated version of Night of the Poms.”

Johns says the new show retains the nostalgia of the ‘60s and ‘70s but also celebrates newer British icons such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams, Snow Patrol, Graham Norton and more. In a nod to newer British Musical Theatre, it also features School of Rock, Billy Elliot, Matilda and SIX the musical.

“Audiences will love seeing and hearing iconic British music from Spice up Your Life (Spice Girls) to I Want to hold Your Hand (The Beatles) and Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd) and Electricity (from Billy Elliot) – there is something there for everyone to enjoy,” she says.

Her favourites include Somebody to Love from We Will Rock You and Anthem from Chess.

“Audiences can expect to see and hear a feast of music from all the genres – pop, rock and music theatre – across the decades from the 60’s to current day – from Dusty Springfield to Adele and The Rolling Stones to Snow Patrol,” Johns says.

“There will also be comedic incursions to the festivities with some iconic British comedy – but we can’t tell you what that will be – you need to come and see for yourself.”