DANCING and singing youngsters trod the boards of a stage usually graced by the stars and wowed an audience of 4,000 people.
Past, present and future pupils of Manor College of Technology, in Owton Manor Lane, in Hartlepool, travelled up to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena to perform as part of professional performing group The Young Americans.
The students had taken part in activity-packed workshops at Manor College with the world-touring troupe, in the run up to the all-singing and all-dancing spectacular at the weekend.
After their brief training, over 100 budding performers travelled by coach up to the arena - which usually hosts concerts with famous popstars like Girls Aloud - where they underwent rehearsals and further training on Saturday, with 1,000 other students from schools around the region.
And the very next day they took the same journey, but this time to take part in the performance in front of a 4,000-strong crowd.
Paul Moffat, assistant head of Manor College, said: “It was a very hectic and tiring weekend, especially for some of the primary school children but they all had an absolutely fantastic time and were buzzing after the performance on Sunday night.
“The first half of the show was performed by the Young Americans and the second half was when the pupils got their chance to shine.
“There was lots of group and solo performances, and Manor College had by far the most solo pieces. It was fabulous and the kids got so much out of it.”
There was no expense spared with the staging and lighting, Mr Moffat said, with two massive screens at the side of the stage beaming out the children’s faces to the audience.
“The whole experience was just great for them,” he said.
“They did the school and the town proud.
“I was also brilliant to see James Pattison who was an ex–pupil of ours who is now in the cast of the Young Americans.”
James won a place with the Young Americans – which was founded in 1962 and provides performance opportunities to young people around the world – two years ago.
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