Beautiful singing, stunning choreography and cracking comedy - young performers had plenty to make a song and dance about in a showcase of their talents.
A magical treat for the eyes and ears was rolled out to spectators who cheered, clapped along and waved their hands in the air in support of the 80-strong performers at Chesterfield's Pomegranate Theatre on Monday night.
With so many amateur singi
ng and drama organisations springing up around the area and fierce competition for the spotlight, it was heartening to see two well-established groups joining forces in a colourful procession of excerpts from musicals and rock and pop charts.
Young Inspirations Theatre Company and Academy of Dance put their all into making their showcase From A Distance a night to remember, not only for the participants but for the audience as well.
Several of the soloists and dancers demonstrated the skill to land them professional careers particularly Nicola Webb, whose spellbinding, roof-raising version of Queen's song Who Wants To Live Forever? was dedicated to the late Michael Jackson, and who revved up the audience with her charismatic performance during a medley of Queen songs.
Luke Spencer also impressed with his solo Stars from Les Miserables, his voice showing a maturity beyond his tender years particularly when he held onto the lengthy final note as if his life depended on it.
Rising stars among the Young Inspirations ranks include Chloe Worstenholme, Georgina Bailey, Gabrielle Mason and Harriett Glynn whose vocal talents shone in the Mamma Mia medley, while James Hallam showed promise in his "King Of The Jews" solo during a selection from Andrew Lloyd Webber creations.
Dancers matched the singers in the talent stakes with many breath-taking routines. From a stunning ballet routine, largely on points, set to Madonna's Like A Prayer, to tap-dancing office workers beating out the typewriter rhythm of Working Nine To Five, the academy's variety show demonstrated the versatility of these well trained performers.
Some of the loudest cheers of the night greeted the showcase gym troupe whose human sculptures and awesome balancing acts defied gravity in a triumph of talent and trust.
The costumes worn by academy students and teachers were as eye-catching as their dance and gymnastic moves, particularly the white sequinned tutus, leotards and matching legwarmers in the first half and the turquoise and pink ensembles of the second part of the show.
Young Inspirations also showed a flair for comedy with two humorous sketches. One of them, Charlie's Birthday, saw the influx of five adults and the most amusing scene of the night. Ray Hall and Richard Leivers, masquerading as tipsy garden gnomes, tore up the script when Ray forgot his lines and the pair ad-libbed their way through in the best of panto traditions.
Panto slapstick was alive and well in a comedy sketch inspired by the masters of mirth, the Monty Python team. Tumbles, knocks on the head and custard pies in the face were handled well by the four-strong team of youngsters who delighted the spectators with increasingly comical scenarios.
James Bond-styled master of ceremonies Steve Clarke added to this night of oh-oh heaven with his saucy humour and engaging personality.
Young Inspirations will be staging the musical Back to the 80s at the Pomegranate Theatre from September 16-19.
The company will be rehearsing the show during the summer at its new base, Chesterfield Studios, on Newbold Road.
