With so many talent shows currently appearing on TV, how infinitely refreshing it is to see real-life excellence on one's own doorstep.
Last night (Saturday, November 29) saw the cream of Worthing's prestigious Festival of Music and Arts strutting their stuff in the Pavilion Theatre, watched by excited children, teachers, parents and members of the public alike.
Choirs, ensembles
, soloists and dancers of all ages took the opportunity to showcase their efforts with great poise and professionalism, clearly enjoying themselves hugely in the process.
It would be impossible to list all the class acts, but particularly impressive were school choirs from Sion and Broadwater Manor, the Worthing Youth Wind Ensemble, and young pianists Millie and Lina Mazzone, Imy and Maria Luc, Sylvia Yong and Rachel West.
We had several hugely enjoyable speech and drama performances, in particular Arabella Hornby and Madison Horne's witty account of The Pig by Roald Dahl.
There were some excellent singers, notably the all-girl group Lorelei, and violinists Robert Campkin and Teddy Truneh both produced some exquisite sounds.
Wonderful ballet and modern were danced by Ellen Dunkley, Georgia Brown, Alice Ballantyne and (fresh from her West End appearance in Billy Elliot) Kayla Sayers.
The Jean Butterworth School gave an enchanting performance of The Snowman, and Glendale Theatre Arts School were breath-takingly witty in Jeux D'Enfants and their super-slick finale Throw That Girl Around.
Genial compère Marcus Martin paid tribute to festival administrator Angela Shaw, and her willing team of voluntary stewards, for three and a half weeks of frenzied activity, of which 80 hours were spent at the Pavilion with the dance section alone.
Amazingly, Marcus has been associated with the festival for 50 of its 59 years, and next year's diamond jubilee promises to be a bumper event, definitely not to be missed.
Have you seen a performance you admired?
Why not write a review and send it in to the Herald website?
Simply email
letters@worthingherald.co.uk with the subject line reader's review.
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