SCALAKIDS Live! 2016 was a vibrant evening’s entertainment that just kept firing out talent after talent after talent.

Our programme promised us “an evening of first class entertainment packed with song and dance” – and they certainly didn’t fail in their promise.

This super talented stage school devised, cast, costumed and rehearsed this show in just one week! What an achievement! The whole team need to be congratulated on this fabulous production.

We were fully entertained by Scala Babes, Scala Juniors, Scala Seniors, Scala Dancers and Scala Singers in a variety of combinations.

Right from the word go with the opening sequence from Copacabana, we knew that we were in for a real treat. There were so many strong performances throughout the evening, and the dancing was stunning – so much energy and professionalism from such a talented bunch of young people.

The Scala Babes gave us gorgeous, cute performances of ABC and a Circus medley, but the highlight for me was their performance of If I Ruled The World – I would put a bet on there not being a dry eye in the house when they sang this to accompany the very beautiful video reminding us of Scalakids wonderful fund raising efforts for Martin House Children's Hospice.

There were great selections from Revolting Children (Matilda), Scala Rocks (We Will Rock You) and Wicked – the soloists Ayla Munday, Connor Elliott, Charlotte Carr, Olivia Wilson, Tilly Ducker and Grace Hadabora were outstanding. Each and every one of them had crystal clear, beautiful tuneful voices.

Caitlin Magee gave an outstanding performance as Maria and (supported by Alex Wilkinson as Mother Superior) led the children magnificently in a selection from The Sound of Music. Once again, the vocals were absolutely stunning –I loved Climb Every Mountain, especially when the Mother Abbess hit that top note!

The Guys & Dolls medley gave us yet more outstanding performances from the Scala Juniors with Harry Tobias, Chris Hemsley, Connor Elliott and Caitlin Surtees, but the performance from Mia Speight as Miss Adelaide was the highlight of this section, with her quirky interpretation. This young lady has the full entertainment package – she can belt out her songs, she can dance and she can act, with fabulous facial expressions.

The Scala Dancers gave us some energetic dance routines In The Heights and One Army which were all brilliantly executed.

There was expert singing talent in abundance throughout the evening – without exception was Jar of Hearts sung by Hannah Wilkinson, Eleanor Hemingway and Alex Wilkinson, and Eleanor Hemingway's rendition of Do You Believe was absolutely stunning. Eleanor has the most beautiful voice.

The Stars selection by the Scala Singers was a stunning collection of various star songs – (Les Mis, Disney, Take That) magnificently sung by the young ladies dressed in elegant evening gowns. The movement formations throughout this section complimented the selection beautifully. It was simply gorgeous!

The energetic finale from Footloose showed off the brilliant vocal and dancing talents of Sophie Downham, along with great performances from Eddie Sibanda and Alex Wilkinson. The finale gave the audience the chance to get up and dance in the aisles...this was one production where everyone certainly went home with a spring in their step!

Scalakids Live! 2016 delivered the whole package – with superb staging, dramatic lighting effects (and their trademark star cloth without which it just wouldn’t be a Scalakids show!), brilliant sound and gorgeous costumes throughout, a huge congratulations must go to everyone involved – it was a mammoth task to produce a show on this scale in a matter of days.

Louise Denison (director) and Jim Lunt (musical director) – you are both masters in your own craft! You deserve a well earned rest!

by Sally Holmes

NODA NE

District 11