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Hastings Talent Show THE NIGHT THE STARS CAME OUT The Gala Final of the Hastings Talent Show took place on Saturday 23rd July 2011. It was an evening of amateur performances, but judging by the cheers of the 600 plus audience, you'd never have known. Competitors included variety acts of every kind, from comedians to singers to an exotic belly dancing troupe who shimmied, sparkled and brought the house down! • Click here to view a slideshow of the show
From over 60 original auditionees, the judges had selected 26 performers to take part in the Gala Final. The White Rock Theatre was the obvious choice of venue, providing a suitably impressive backdrop to the event itself. As well as the White Rock sponsoring the show, the staff worked exceptionally hard to make it a success. Once the judges had selected the final ten acts from among the under 13 category - and the final ten in the over 14s category - the audience voted via 'Clickapad', brilliant little hand-held electronic devices kindly provided by local company PPVOTE. Carl Parson, under 13s winner of the Eastbourne Talent Show made a brilliant guest appearance while the audience made up their minds. It took only seconds for the vote to be counted, at which point, runners-up and winners were joined on stage by the competition's judges. The under 13s category was won by talented singer/songwriter Abbie Jones whose thrilling voice swept her to victory. Winners in the over 14s category were Theo Gregory and Declan Mason, two superb young comedians who write their own material and deliver it like seasoned professionals. Both sets of winners won valuable cash prizes, a four hour recording session with Appleyard Studios, their 'height in pizza' from Dominos Pizza and a crystal trophy. Runners-up in the under 13s category were singer Hannah Turner, dancer Joshua Kinsella, singer Robyn Ashwood and singer Bethany Rands-Walsh. In the over 13s category, singers Ryan, Zach Lecheminant, Daisy & Kane and Girl Band 4 Tune were also delighted to receive well-deserved crystal trophies. A special prize of a one year scholarship award was presented by Lora Munro of the Theatre Workshop. This wonderful award went to Hannah Turner, whose delighted reaction added to the general excitement. Faiza Shafeek, organised the event on behalf of JP Events and the Observer Group of Newspapers. She said: "This evening has exceeded all expectations. And it isn't the end of the competition! There's going to be an East Sussex Grand Gala Final, featuring the winners and runners-up of this brilliant evening - competing against their counterparts from the recent Eastbourne Talent Show. A 'head to head' of the creme de la creme. Watch this space for date and details!" The evening was enhanced by the presence of the Mayor of Hastings, Councillor Kim Forward and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Alan Roberts. Special thanks go to the judges and sponsors, without whom the evening could not have happened. These were: Judge Emma Burnett, owner of Mad Fish Studio and also the evening's main sponsor; Judge Jeff Topp, event sponsor and owner of Appleyard Studio; sponsor Dominos Pizza; judge Jane Estall, owner of the Jane Estall Agency, judge Will Bailey, entertainer and cabaret artist, judge Gary Richard, comedian and singer and judge Graham Dawson, owner of Showman Audio-Visual Limited. A good evening. Great memories. And now on to the final Final...the all-winners showdown! Contact Faiza Shafeek on 01323 414493 or |
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