by Priscilla

Aug.20, 2009, under Backstage Blog

Redcoats are part of the hospitality department and I’m based here at Priscilla. So if there is anyone here that wants hospitality, like celebrities or functions or anyone who wants extra treatment, which includes pouring champagne, canapés we provide that. You normally get to go to the Royal room, which is a private room away from the main bars and have myself look after you. I also cover stage door, box office and merchandising kiosk.

I’ve only been here since May, but we’ve had some really interesting people, Kylie and Danni Minogue, David Hasselhoff, Christopher Biggins, Natalie Imbruglia, David Walliams to name just a few. There have also been a lot of lovely people that just want to pay a bit extra for a package to make the night that extra bit special.

David Hasselhoff, Jason Donovan and the cast

I started front of house at 16. I worked every area front of house and just worked my way up until I was put forward to be a redcoat. You have to be put forward by your manager and then apply to hospitality where you get trained. There are only 12 redcoats in the whole of Really Useful Group and we represent all the theatres.

As a redcoat we have to do a presentation on the show and theatre we’re working on so I’ve leaned some interesting facts about Priscilla. There are 40,000 LED lights on the bus and each of them costs £7 so that is £280,000 just on the outside of the bus. My most embarrassing moment was when Christopher Biggins wanted to use the toilet in the Royal room and I said “please do we’ve had many famous bottoms there, so please add yours.” That was quite embarrassing.

It is so difficult to pick my favourite part of the show, because the whole thing is so amazing. I would probably have to say the medley at the end, because it has all the big costumes and my favourite song Finally. You also have the standing ovation, everyone on their feet from top to bottom and you can feel the electricity in the building. The show has everything, humour, emotion, amazing talent the most incredible costumes in the West End and it is a lot of fun.