Spotlight's on West End stage sensations

YOUNG singers and dancers from a Bristol stage school stole theshow when they performed at the London Palladium.

More than 20 budding stars from Starlight Dance and TheatreCompany performed at the world famous London theatre as part of theLondon Palladium Children's Variety Show.

Starlight, which is based in Windmill Hill, is no stranger to thebright lights of London this was the school's sixth West End show,its third at the Palladium.

Their most famous former pupil is Fame Academy star Katie Lewis.

Aged from 11 to 18, the 21 Palladium performers all take regularlessons at Starlight in Windmill Hill.

Four Bristol performers sang solo on the Palladium stage.

Ashton's Natalie Williams, aged 12, sang Don't Rain On My Paradefrom Funny Girl, 18-year-old Louise Ennevor, of Clevedon, sang RealLove of My Life from Brigadoon and 16-year-old Jessie Rose, ofBedminster, sang All That Jazz from Chica go.

The fourth soloist, Rhiannon Hacker, aged 15, from Whitchurch,sang Immortality from Saturday Night Fever.

Rhiannon is Starlight's dance captain and she helped with thePalladium choreography, working with the other dancers individuallyto help them learn the steps.

The Children's Variety Show at the Palladium is a well-knownshowcase for young talent and involves stage schools from all overthe country.

Heather Aldred, Starlight's vocal dance choreographer, said: "Theshow was fantastic, the children worked really hard starting theirday at 7am on Sunday and arriving home at 1am on Monday morning.

"The organiser said they were fantastic and they can't wait to seethem back on the Palladium stage in December.

"The stage director, very well known actor Russell Richardson, wasfull of praise and he said they were very talented. The childrenreceived so much encouragement."

Compere of the show was former EastEnders and Hollyoaks star IanPuleston-Davies who was so impressed he repeatedly called forStarlight principal Moira Aldred to step onto the stage to take a bowbut she was backstage helping the performers get ready and missed thecalls.

In December, Starlight youngsters will return to the Palladium toperform Cell Block Tango from Chicago and Masquerade from Phantom ofthe Opera.

Auditions are taking place for the next three weekends. Singersneed to be aged between 15 and 19, and performers who will dance andsing must be aged between 11 and 19.

For more information call Moira Aldred on 0775 270 8049.