A harmonious set of classic songs from the musicals took a group of singers to the top of the pack at a recent youth talent show.

The 12 singers, all aged between 10 and 16 years old, from the Platform Theatre Vocal Ensemble group were named winners of the ’Next Big Thing’ talent show, run by the charity Junior Achievement, which took place at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday evening.

They received the top prize of £500 cash, sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and the Next Big Thing 2020 trophy.

Violin player Frank Joughin, 10, came second place, winning £250, donated by Will Kewin from Manx Professional and Educational Services Ltd, with third place going to cellist Grace Templer, 15, who wowed the judges with inspired interpretation and adaptation of the Billie Eilish song ’I Don’t Wanna Be You Anymore’. She was awarded £150, donated by Tony Lawler, from the Platform Theatre School.

Overall, the judges, including Sue Tummon from sponsors Paragon Recruitment, Ramsey Crookall’s Joanna Crookall, dance teacher Mary O’Dea and Next Big Thing ambassador, Christian Cooper, were impressed with the Platform Vocal Ensemble’s seamless medley of show tunes and, in particular, gave their praise to their ’professionalism, faultless timing and sheer entertainment value’.

The competition also saw traditional Indian dancing from Linette Joseph and contemporary performance from the group Aspire, along with singers Mega Boardman, Jess Christian, Ella Jones, Eve Puzzar, Cory Corkill, Kirree Craine and 10-year-old Naiya Myrie.

The four-piece punk group the Scrubs completed the line-up.

Junior Achievement chief executive Sue Cook said she was once again amazed at the amount of talented youngsters who perform year after year at the next Big Thing competition.

’This was the eighth year of the Next Big Thing and still we’re discovering some truly amazingly talented young people,’ said Sue.

’From the first auditions to the grand final their hard work and passion for performing always shine through, as does the tremendous support of their families, friends and coaches.’

Sue thanked the sponsors for helping to give the young artists a chance to perform on the Gaiety theatre stage.

Also appearing on the night was last year’s winners, ZED, featuring Zac Colligon, Ethan Whyley and David Livesey, who kept the audience entertained with self-choreographed song and dance routine, and a cast from the Douglas Choral Union, who perform a scene from their up-coming musical, the Sound of Music.

by Mike Wade

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