Published Monday, 2nd May 2016

Seventy-eight young people from Horley, Banstead, Redhill and Reigate took to the stage in Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Star for a Night show at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill.

Star for a Night is the council’s annual young people’s variety show open to 11 to 18 year olds who love to sing, dance or act and are looking for the chance to perform on stage. The two-night show was the culmination of weeks of rehearsals following open auditions in the search for local talent among the borough’s young people. 

Emma Parnell, Sports and Leisure Development Officer at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, says: “Star for a Night is one of our initiatives to help our local young people lead healthy and active lifestyles. It’s been a privilege to see the young people progress and gain confidence over the past few months of rehearsals. I’m sure the theatre audience would agree that they put on a lively and slick show for us.”

Judges awarded five performers one-year scholarships to Urban Play Dance School and So You Wanna Be Theatre School. The winners of the Urban Play dance school scholarships were Ryan Watson and Leah Beglan. Hannah Griffin, Joel Aston and James Grimstone were awarded one-year scholarships to So You Wanna Be Theatre School.

“The show could not go ahead without the financial support from local and county councillors. Without their support we would be unable to offer the high quality of coaching that is given free to all participants. I would also like to thank our professionals at So You Wanna Be and Urban Play for the huge amount of help they provide in preparing the young people and putting on the show. It simply wouldn’t be possible without their expertise and effort,” says Emma. “The aim of the scholarships is to provide a lasting legacy to some of the young people so that they continue to benefit from taking part in the performing arts. Look out on social media later this year for Star for a Night 2017!” Star for a Night performances took place on 7 and 8 April.