On the 5th of February, Dartford’s Orchard Theatre showcased Dartford’s Young Gifted 2017; hosted by Dartford Grammar School students Matt and Omolayo, these two hosts created a light atmosphere and ease within the audience. The showcase was organised to ‘challenge the sometimes negative representation that young people face in today’s society’ and was to express what ‘potential young people truly possess’ in the form of singing, dancing, music and drama. - The DYG Committee.

The DYG Committee produced and organised the showcase over a lengthy course of a year and managed to create a spectacular production; with the use of meetings, auditions and fund raising they were able to produce a production that really showed the hidden talents of Dartford's Youth. There was a wide variety of different acts that created a show that highlighted the act’s potentials. With a range of people willing to work together to create this production, Dartford’s Youth was able to pull together and create a production that will give them an experience on the stage; with the help of funders, youth workers, volunteers, and young people along with the staff from The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Print and the DYG Team, they were really able to showcase the talents and to firmly challenge the negative views on the younger generation of Dartford.

The DYG Team had just over 300 auditions and had to take 28 acts to perform in front of a live audience at The Orchard Theatre; the Dartford’s Young Gifted 2017 showcased performers such as dance groups The Edge Dance and Theatre School and Fryday’s Academy of Irish.

Acts: Singing acts - Rebecca Wickes (19), Emily Wright (16), Rachael Aust (14), Millie Constable (14), Ella Bellew (14), Victoria Akinleye (16), Aimee Reeves (14), Alex Scott (16), Oscar Wright (13) and Toby Hooker (17) who both also played the guitar, James Stewart and May Bui (13 and 14) duo who sang and played the guitar.

Sister duo acts- Shiksha (13) and Amisha Teeluck (10) who sand and played piano, Leah and Mia Cadette (17) who both sang together.

Ayo Omolulu (14) was an act that was a self taught pianist and drummer, and Jemima Jacobs (17) who did a heartfelt and touching poetry/spoken word piece that in my opinion was a great way to change people’s negative views on the youth.

Gospel Choir from Wilmington Girls Grammar who ranged from ages 12 to 18.

Actresses Grace Flowers (15) and Precious Duru (years) that both did brilliant acts that both contrasted each other in way that kept the audience captivated.

Solo dance acts Evie Alonzo (12), Ellie Gilbert (14), and Georgia Cullingham (19).

Group dance acts – Farah, Mercy, Precious and Eleyon (12+), Jejunity (The Edge Dance and Theatre School, 8-12), Fryday’s Academy of Irish Dance (6-18) and Sapphire Dance Academy (6-18).

Band - ‘Coup De Grace, – Ernest, James, Eric and Brad (17-18).

The show appeared to go off without difficulties and ended up being a showcase to remember, they DYG Team managed to create a performance that would make Dartford proud. Furthermore these productions were a great way to turn around the views of people who negatively view today’s youth.

The acts were so powerful and full of emotion, it was well thought out. It is clearly shown that they have worked extremely hard to make this work and they did! The youth here are extraordinary and I couldn’t be more proud of them; their goal to make Dartford proud was achieved.

Written By Alana Constant, Thamesview School.