by Priscilla

Sep.16, 2011, under Backstage Blog

The Redcoats are in charge of all types of hospitality and any celebrities that come into the theatre. We are also Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s private butlers so if he came in to watch our queens here at the Palace, we’d look after him as well. We’ve had many colourful characters and celebrities come to Priscilla, including Barry Manilow, who has been one of my favourites, Kylie and Dannii Minogue who were amazing, and Christopher Biggins the musical person’s favourite.

Paul Mount

You have to be invited to be a redcoat, so it is quite an honour to be given. When I was 20 years old I was in charge of the bars at the Adelphi theatre and the theatre management asked if I would like to take a step up and be a redcoat. At the time I thought they were horrible people as they would come behind my bar and steal all my stock without telling me, leaving my figures extremely down, so since then I decided to make every bar supervisor my friend. I’ve worked in all seven of our theatres and this is my fifth year as a redcoat.

One of the best parts of this job is that you get to meet some amazing people, be that celebrities or people that just buy our packages. You get a different experience every single day. It’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes that people don’t necessarily notice, but you have to keep everyone happy and be ready to provide what they need.

I love Country Boy. If I have guests I try and make sure that they can get up and be part of the show. You also have to love the cupcakes and the colour in MacArthur Park.

Priscilla is the perfect antidote to the times we are in now, with all the cuts and misery. It is two and half hours of amazing fun and tongue in cheek humour. If you don’t take yourself too seriously you are going to love the show. You come out clapping, dancing, singing and ready to hit a few clubs, before rebooking for the next day.