Popstars

“Popstars” is a feel-good comedy jukebox musical written by Neil Gooding and Nicholas Cristo with orchestral arrangements by Isaac Hayward and is set in a school during the 1990's. The show is a celebration of that decades music and its artist which included,The Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, N Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, MC Hammer and many more, it also looks at the modern day talent show phenomena. This production from Chorley Youth Theatre,directed by Eleanor Anderton & Lucy Aspinall does not disappoint as from the moment the show opens the audience is-taken on a colourful musical journey with lots of energy and enthusiasm from the large talented cast who gave their everything and worked together to deliver a high energy upbeat entertaining show. Diction, comic timing and characterisations were just right and there were so many good performances in this production that it really isn’t easy to pick out individuals.However, the story follows Mark played by the talented Callan Grimshaw Brown, who is in love with his popular girlfriend Shannon Van de Witt –(Emma Threlfall), that is until she dumps him in front of all their friends at school, the reason being is that she does not have time for boys, after she finds out that pop impresario Simon Austin has been asked to be a surprise judge at the State Talent Show. Shannon along with her two best friends Steffi-(Holly Petts) and Tina-(Emma Manley), set up a girl group called the Candy Girls unfortunately non of them can sing so they hold auditions to find someone  who can, luckily shy geek Charlie- (Amelia-Jane Bowles), can sing very well and she's just what the girls need to make them look good.In the meantime Mark’s friends Vinnie- (Charlie Kemp), Shane- (Joe Harrison) and Patrick- (Leigh Palmer), rally around him and, they decide to change their group from a garage band to a boy-band hoping to win the talent show title from Shannon and her group, unfortunately they can’t dance, so Mark enlists the help of the very talented Ella played by Naomi Cook, gradually Mark and Ella grow closer and the battle begins between ‘Boyband and Girlband’.However,  unfortunately Shannon schemes behind the scenes to undermine Marks chances, so will Mark win the contest and also Ella. Other members of this hard working cast included Eadie Gosling as Carrie, Luke Eburne as Simon Austin, Zach Eccleston as Chef Joey, Liesl Cook as the Principle and Host,Eddie Chandler as D J Prince, Myles Heston-Smith as Coach, Jess Bell as the P. A. and Kirsty Makinson as Amber Shue. The lively ensemble supported the principle cast very well singing with gusto and performing Lucy McManus’s dynamic slick choreography expertly. 
There was an excellent live band conducted by Musical Director Paul Carr who supported the young cast well, who help set the mood and ensured the correct sound balance. However just a constructive point for the singers to keep in mind, always listen for your note from the musicians when you start to sing as there is usually one of the instruments playing your note, this will help you to keep on key.
There was one split level set which was just right for the production, scenes were changed by using applicable props and there was excellent use of the stage area with very good technical input and authentic colourful costumes, which all helped to make this high energy production a success. Well done to all the backstage crew, set builders, painters and  everyone involved in bringing this production to the stage, the Directors, Eleanor Anderton and Lucy Aspinall, Producer Macy Bromilow, and Assistant Producer /Stage Manager Lucas Burns with Assistant Stage Manager Hannah Borer.
It was lovely to see such talented young people, performing and enjoying themselves so much on stage thank you very much for inviting us we had a great evening.

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