One of the Miss Isle of Man competitors is turning her love of acting and the theatre into an opportunity to raise finds and awareness for an island charity.

Niamh Murdoch, 18, has brought together some of the best known names, old and young, from the world of Manx musical theatre and will host ’Songs From The Shows’, an evening of music from the most popular musicals, held at the Kensington Arts Centre at 7.30pm, Saturday, July 1.

Niamh herself is no stranger to the theatre, having trod the boards of the Gaiety Theatre many times before.

She was the runner up in the Young Actor of Mann 2016, and also last year played the lead role Mrs Pongo in the successful Parker and Snell production of 101 Dalmatians.

Niamh is taking part in the Junior Achievers Miss Isle of Man Community challenge, and is holding the concert to raise funds and awareness for her chosen charity, Age Concern Isle of Man.

She has pulled together a cast of 11 singers and performers, who will perform a set of 24 classic songs, such as ’Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, ’Confrontation’, taken from Les Miserable, ’This is the Moment’, from Jekyll and Hide,’Don’t rain on my Parade’, along with songs from the musical ’Wicked’.

They are performed by the likes of Mike Bonner, from ’The Producers’ and Ian Dixon, who has been in Phantom and Oliver, along with younger singers Lois Mooney, Robyn Mae Lawler, Manx Stars in their Eyes winner Kate Cowley and many more.

’I have designed the whole show myself, even the posters,’ said Niamh.

’I’m the producer, the stage designer, and I am also the host of it. I have studied design before,but I have never done anything like this.

’Everyone here I’ve known or performed with somewhere before, and they are all doing this as a favour for me.

’I can’t wait to see Mike Bonner and Bryony Morgan, who used to be a Fairy Godmother-in-training for Disney, perform ’Master of the House, from Les Miserable. I think that will be so funny.’

Singer/songwriter Rhiannon Scanlon will provide musical entertainment during the interludes.

Niamh believes the experience of organising this show will stand her in good stead in the future.

She has an eye on a future career in the theatre, either on stage or off, and organising such a show has taught her a lot about the industry.

’It has helped me a lot, as I hadn’t realised how much effort goes into organising a show, or how much preparation before.

’It’s an incredible experience and I am so thankful I have done it, I feel like I have learnt so much from it already.

’I have only just turned 18, and the creative, theatre and film industries are places I would like to work in when I am older.

’It is experience for something I would like to do in later life, and while it is also been just incredible, it has been a real mind-opening journey.’

Tickets for ’Songs From The Shows’ are on sale, priced £12.50, or £15 on the door on the night, and are available by contacting Niamh through her Miss Isle of Man Facebook page , or at [email protected].