Brisbane review - Turn up Your Radio: Rock Classic Radio is Turned UP

By Lilian Harrington

Production: Turn up Your Radio

Producers: Lachy Stewart and Madeleine Johns

Company:  Redcliffe Musical Theatre

Location: Redcliffe Musical Theatre,

                 102 Anzac Parade Redcliffe

Season: April 26 7:30 pm. and 27 at 6:00 pm.

Bookings: Try bookings; or phone Redcliffe Musical Theatre.

Redcliffe Musical Theatre (RMT), presented Turn Up Your Radio, a Classic Rock Show, over ANZAC weekend, While earlier rock shows have featured the music of other countries, this time they performed classical Aussie Rock, supported by a live band, RMT Roar Members and their adult performers. This show was a fund raiser to support a member who is suffering from a serious health condition. The programme has been coordinated by band leader Lachy Stewart and RMT president Madeleine Johns. It involves a range of rock in roll numbers from the early era and included works from Johnny Farnham, The Bee Gees and others. The four piece band included: Lachy Stewart, lead guitar, Ajay Hazzard, band sound and drums, Tod Phillips, Keys, and Brad Wild bass guitar.  The professional musicians complemented the vocalists and their routines.

Classic Rock in Roll music dates back to the 1950s and 1960s where it began in the USA and has evolved into an all-encompassing international style of music which became known as rock music, or Rock and Roll. Since then this style of music has played a major influence on modern day music.

This community in-house event was family friendly and catered for local tastes and familial groups. There was a strong cast of singers, some were very experienced and knew their stage etiquette very well, along with some of the younger less confident performers. Unlike the popular TV program, “Britain’s Got Talent,” there was no official announcement at the beginning of each act as performers entered and exited the stage, this left the audience a little confused when they  were trying to follow the program. However, all cast performed with sincerity and most interacted well with the audience. Some acts such as:” Physical “and songs such as” TNT” (Jake Hollingsworth) were well timed and very funny.

In true Aussie fashion young Roar Members sang “I call Australia Home” and “Home among the Gum Trees” adding some quirky choreography; It was evident that the enthusiasm shown by the youth meant encouraging signs for the future. Under their competent stage manager Johnathan Johns, who coordinated cast, crew and technical effects, all went very smoothly at the Studio.

Of special mention outstanding talent in Turn up Your Radio were: Killer Rock Queen Naomi Drogemuller and pulse throbbing Colin Rhys-Jones, along with Sarah Ashby and Jake Hollingsworth. Naomi is no stranger to theatre and she returns to the stage after an absence since We Will Rock You; she delighted the audience with songs such as “You’re the Voice” originally sung by John Farnham. Colin Rhys -Jones appeared in several Rock numbers; his style is reminiscent of Jimmy Barnes. Some of his song choices included “Shout “and “Eagle Rock”. Further, the talented Sarah Ashby captured the audience with Chains; Sarah has featured in several musicals, and she was seen recently in RMT’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, staged at the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre. Along with the confident and witty Sarah, actor Jake Hollingsworth certainly showed that he too was a rock vocalist with some style, warming up the crowd while swinging his long hair as part of his “Rage” style act.  

Band leader Lachy Stewart and Madeleine Johns are to be congratulated for their classic Australian  rock program, Turn Up the Radio, staged to support a fellow Aussie!