WOW, what a show and what a brilliant set of young performers! This highly talented group has been running for a couple of years now and seem to get better with every performance that I see them give. I was totally blown away by this stunning performance at Yeadon Town Hall as part of the capacity audience on the opening night of their four performances in the run up to Christmas.

The group takes young people from the age of 10 to 24, although the performance was supplemented by two or three others above the upper age limit. Producer and lighting and video supremo is Jamie Hudson who is ably supported by Will Rowson as Musical Director and Catherine Moglia as Director & Choreographer.

This was a magical celebration of the holiday season, featuring both seasonal and year-round favourites; much-loved chart toppers being sung alongside traditional Christmas carols. The two halves of the show each comprised three sections all of which had a relevance to Christmas.

The music included songs old and new, such as: Sleigh Ride, I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas, Snow!, Let it Snow, Wonderful Christmas Time, O Holy Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Mary Did You Know, and many more classic and contemporary Christmas favourites! Complete with tap dancing penguins, dancing toy soldiers, and of course Father Christmas played by Gary Holmes, this was a brilliant start to the Christmas holidays.

Unfortunately, the printed programme for the evening did not include the names of the soloists for each of the forty or so songs so I am not able to give individual plaudits to those concerned which I would have loved to have done as there were some excellent performances by these various young people.

The company are now busy rehearsing for their next production which will take place at Yeadon Town Hall from April 11 to 14 and is the superb Avenue Q The Musical. Tickets are now available on line at www.futuristtheatreproductions.com/boxoffice or by ringing 0333 666 3366.

by John Burland