St Ed's Got Talent

Date: Saturday 31 January 2009

The newly refurbished Old Gym was transformed into the St Edmund's equivalent of the X -Factor last night with a talent show organised by Director of Drama Mark Sell in aid of the New York Trip.

13 acts took to the stage during the course of the evening, which opened with singer/songwriter duo Tom Lowen and Alex Gibson. They set the high standard, which was to be the hallmark of the evening.

This was a variety show, which included a 'Two Ronnies' comedy sketch, and solo/group singing and dancing. The show had all the elements of today's TV talent shows, with Housemaster Leigh Millard and Head of GCSE Drama Liz Sears compering the show with a combination of wit and elegance. Charlie Burns (L6) took on the role of compere to the judges and interviewed the acts as they came off stage. The judging team of Headmaster Jeremy Gladwin (who saw something good in all the acts), Mrs Mander (truthful and master of the fine detail) and Captain of School Michael Hawkes (alias Simon Cowell - i.e. tried to pick fault, not always successfully, with all the acts) were in fine form as they helped to stir up the capacity audience.

In between the performances, the technology served up behind the scenes footage of the performers during the auditions stage and the superb set, sound and lighting (thanks to Oz Andrews, Harry Smith, Billy Bacon, Helen Sabine, Mark Hawkins et al.) all contributed towards a really slick and well produced evening's entertainment.

For many of us, this event sums up all that St Edmund's is about. The audience was equally supportive of the underdog as of the favourite and the atmosphere was quite simply electric. But in the end someone had to win. The judges found it very difficult to choose the two acts who went into the final and could have chosen at least five or so performances. However, Fran Dowle's singing and Dave van Rooyen on guitar/vocals both took to the stage for a second time. The audience "clapometer" decided the final outcome, which saw Dave crowned as 'St Ed's Got Talent' champion for 2009.

This was a first for the School and will undoubtedly become part of the pattern of the Lent Term for many years to come.