Meighan Youth Theatre show Trafford's got talent (From St Helens Star)

Meighan Youth Theatre show Trafford's got talent

11:50pm Saturday 2nd June 2012 in Leisure By Julia Taylor

YOUNG impresario, Joe Meighan (18) runs his own production company Meighan Youth Theatre Productions.

Their latest show, Thank you for the Musicals at Altrincham Garrick, a lively revival of West End and Broadway musicals, left me gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe that a bunch of kids aged 12 - 19 could come up with a show that is so professional it matches some of the Britain’s Got Talent entries.

Trafford certainly has talent. The live orchestra, conducted by Sally Spencer is the perfect accompaniment for solos, duets and choral numbers.

The 200 costumes are fabulous and the lighting and sound second to none.

I couldn’t fault anything about this production. Even the programmes have biographies of the cast as they do in the West End.

One of the best extracts from a musical, Phantom of the Opera, is not far behind the West End production. Rebecca Gilliland and Ryan Hall, as Christine and Raoul give an expressive rendering of All I ask of You.

Rhys Nuttall’s Phantom has the tingle factor as he sings The Music of the Night with immaculate timing and expression before switching roles to Billy Bigalow in Carousel. His My Boy Bill is equally moving.

Kirsty Podlaski has a voice mature beyond her years. Her opening solo as Glinda in Wicked shows she can reach those high notes and we see her again as Nettie Fowler from Carousel singing June is Bustin Out All Over.

Younger performers excel in the Lion King, imaginatively choreographed by Beth Bradley.

Youngest of all is eight-year-old Ellie Hulme as the baby of the Von Trapp family in Sound of Music.

In his role of director, Joe Meighan ensures that his cast are confident enough to give the slick performance I saw on Saturday, 2nd June. A must see.

At the Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham until June 3. The Garrick Theatre box office is 0161 928 1677. Star Rating * * * * *