Dartford’s got talent

10:57am Wednesday 9th April 2008

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Leisure's Kerry Ann Eustice encountered something very special when judging a surprising talent contest in Dartford.

OF ALL the places you expect to encounter the sort of talent which would get Simon Cowell's high-waisted knickers in a twist, Dartford Social Club isn't really it.

Nonetheless, it's here to be found. I was unsure what to expect when Mad Tiger Management's Anthony Shore asked me to join the judging panel.

An advert in The Stage - and a top prize of £1,000 and radio airplay - attracted contestants, of varying styles and abilities, from locations such as Wolverhampton, north London and South Darenth.

Talent shows, it transpires, are serious business; artists tour the UK to compete in them.

Leisure enjoyed Delores Miel who, despite being really nervous, pulled off 1940s class and noughties sass in a husky, modern take on Billie Holiday's Summertime. Local lad Jay Mullinger was good too.

Fresh from a musical theatre degree, Jay performed a sweet rendition of Yesterday in a perfect-for-the-West-End-style. Neither made it through but hopefully will try again next week.

Cecil Lovemore from Dulwich almost stole the show with his charming but tuneless renditions of Karma Chameleon and Get Me to the Church on Time.

Cecil Lovemore from Dulwich stole the show(almost) and the audiences hearts (certainly) with his charming but tuneless renditions of Karma Chameleon and Get Me to the Church on Time from My Fair Lady. He didn't get through, but for his sheer chutzpah was invited back to perform in the final.

The finalists included the shockingly confident vocal powerhouse Lauren Ashleigh and Charlotte Dawson (centre), whose flawless sound perfectly suited Oh Happy Day and Les Miserables classic I Dreamed a Dream.

There was a sweet irony in Lady Carol's ridiculously good rendition of Radiohead's Creep.

There was a sweet irony in Lady Carol's ridiculously good rendition of Radiohead's Creep ("I don't belong here").

Her kooky chanteneuse-style, ukele-accompanied takes on cool classics were the most arresting performances of the night. Easily the most stirring artist I've seen in ages. Needless to say she went through. I won't be forgetting her in a hurry.

Think you can do better? There's still chance to enter. Just turn up at the next qualifier.

The Talent Contest, around 8pm, April 10 and April 24, May 1 (the final) Dartford Social Club, Lowfield Road.

To find out more about the Talent Contest click here