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Show: The Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge – Grand Final
Society: London (professional shows)
Venue: London Palladium, Argyll Street, London
Credits: Presented by The Jack Petchey Glee Club
Type: Sardines
Author: Chris Abbott
Performance Date: 03/03/2019
The Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge – Grand Final
Chris Abbott | 04 Mar 2019 10:19am
It was heartening to see the London Palladium full and buzzing for the Grand Final of the Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge, now in its seventh year and this year involving around 1,000 young people from London and Essex. This enterprising charity also runs a wide range of projects involving such topics as public speaking and dance in secondary schools, as well as a major achievement awards programme for young people.
This year’s Glee Club Challenge began in May last year when groups were invited to enter by sending a video. From these entries, some were invited to Regional Finals after training by professionals at Boot Camps. After performing in front of an independent panel of judges, just 12 groups were chosen for the Grand Final, each group appearing twice to show their range and versatility. It was good to see the clear judging criteria printed in the programme – under the headings Vocal, Visual, Team and Entertainment Value – together with the prestigious panel of 7 judges chaired by John Partridge.
Production values were high and it must have been an exhilarating experience for these groups and their supporters – and it was good to see that ticket prices were kept low in order that as many as possible could come. In addition to the top 3 prizes, a special Artistic Team commendation was given to newcomers Nower Hill Glee Club: it is good to see the emphasis throughout these awards on teamwork.
In third place were Scene II Theatre School with a very contrasting pair of performances consisting of Who will buy? from Oliver! and Pop Muzik – both with impressive props and costumes. In second place were the popular and inclusive Youth Create giving an exuberant performance and delighting the audience. Overall winner this year was the experienced Tomorrow’s Talent, contrasting I see Fire, sung dressed as refugees, with the very up to date medley from Six, on the very night that this show was winning at the Whatsonstage Awards.
As was made clear throughout the evening however, this was not just about winning but about taking part, teamwork and personal commitment. I was also particularly impressed by BYT who offered a heartfelt version of Where is Love? followed by a Windrush-inspired Stand by Me. Several groups made clever use of mobile phone lights but the slick version of Bohemian Rhapsody from the tightly-rehearsed Boswells School Glee Club set the bar early.
A great night’s entertainment then – even if, like me, you knew no-one performing; and testament to the great work being done by the Jack Petchey Foundation and all the many teachers, leaders, creatives and supporters without which none of this could have happened. As John Partridge said, everyone on that stage was a winner.
- : admin
- : 03/03/2019