Meyrick Park Proms 2025: ‘Symphonic Smash Hits – the 80s!’ Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Z Bonds
The BSO Meyrick Park Proms – Symphonic Smash Hits sponsored by Lester Aldridge Solicitors, was a wonderful celebration of all things 80s and a great evening open air concert evening. What a fabulous opportunity to hear some our favourite tracks being played by our very own Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra uniting with stars from the West End! A one-off extravaganza that couldn’t be missed…
This was our first time at this event and it did not disappoint – the venue was easily accessible with plenty of stewards available to guide us through the arena, where there was plenty of space to set up our chairs and enjoy our picnic prior to the show. Warming us up were 80s classics through the speakers and the mood was very much one of celebration, with many spectators joining the theme with 80s dress. The orchestra too joined the spirit of the occasion and had also dressed for the occasion, including the conductor in his finest emerald sequined blazer!
The BSO opened with a medley of songs from Elton John and Blondie to name but a couple of the great artists and the four accompanying singers took to the stage: Emma Kershaw, Katie Birtill, Oliver Tompsett and Patrick Smyth. They promised ‘absolute bangers’ and that was what we got from the outset!
They debuted with power ballads – a stalwart of the 80s and ‘Alone’ by Heart. This set the mood and already had the crowd singing along in unison. Medleys by influential artists followed including Blondie and David Bowie which had the crowd roaring and enthusiastically joining in, both in song and dance. Elton’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ took us into the interval as the sun set and people enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on the 1st half with their friends and families. The diverse audience being made up not only of seventies kids such as ourselves, but a whole spectrum of ages – from older to very young – all seemed to be enjoying the spectacle in their own ways.
The large screens gave us the chance to see elements we weren’t close enough to see, but also played with our senses in an 80s way, showing different visuals such as the kaleidoscope and drawn outlines of the orchestra and conductor.
A classic from Whitney Huston took us into the second half , followed by Toto’s Africa – those who hadn’t yet got to their feet were now standing and swaying to the tunes, closely followed by ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ with the addition of pyrotechnics, which in the now night sky were so dazzling and released on the beat. A medley from the Pet Shop Boys really gave us the opportunity to enjoy the symphonic nature of the concert and to not only appreciate the vocals but the orchestral elements in the songs and was absolutely incredible.
A Madonna medley took us into the final stretch with plenty more singing and dancing and general awe at the amazing spectacle we were watching, added to with an abundance of fabulous fireworks which lit up the night sky and danced along with us in the darkness. An encore of another medley left the crowd begging for more, but alas there was none.
How lucky we all felt to have experienced this wonderful show with our very own Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in their home town on a stunning August evening in the fabulous surroundings of Meyrick Park.
Rating: 5/5
BSO Proms in the Park 2025 – Symphonic Smash Hits – The 80s
Saturday 9th August 2025. Gates open 6pm, show starts at 8pm.
For more information and tickets, visit bsolive.com or call the BSO Box Office on 01202 669925.
Location: Meyrick Park, Central Drive, Bournemouth, BH2 6LH