The newly-formed De Valence Young Performers made their colourful and lively debut last weekend with an entertaining production of 'Children of the Rainbow'.
Staged at the Tenby venue on Friday and Saturday, 'Children of the Rainbow' took the audiences on a magical journey through each colour of the rainbow to find the mystical pot of gold at its end.
Brother and sister, Jade Thomas and Ben Cloak, aided by their guardian, Wesley Davies, led the way and took a visit to the land of Little Red Riding Hood, the Yellow Brick Road, the African Plains, Nemo's Undersea World and even a daytime talk show, as their searched for the end of the rainbow. Duo, Ben Vickery and Jack Waring, the leprechauns, added their own comical anecdotes, much to the amusement of those watching.
Full of popular songs, dance routines and comedy sketches, 'Children of the Rainbow', which had an enthusiatic cast of over 45 children aged between seven and 17, was actually devised by the youngsters themselves, who came up with the ideas during a series of workshops.
The whole company was oozing with talent and there were so many young stars in the making it would be unfair to single anyone out.
Energetic chorus members were: Sammy Thomas, Frances Head, Alex Smith, Martha Griffiths, Liam Pilot, Morgan Duckett, Shannon Shields, Lara Thomas, Chloe Goldie, Ellie Lloyd, Teifian Powell, Bridget John, Holly McDonald, Eleri Stacey, Bethan Griffiths, Elliot Freeman, Scott Meades, Safiya Rooney, Jack Oakley, Cherie Morgan, Rosie Wicks, Coral Head, Tyler Head, Katie Evans, Sarah Davies, Ella Griffiths, Scarlett Davies, Beth Botani, Corey Morris, Matthew Harris, Nico Fecci, Shelby Parmanand, Rachel Bonser, Gwynneth Hodgson, Jack Stacey, Thomas Griffiths, Katryn Warlow, Rachel Vickery, Jessica Morgan, James Oakley, Zac Parmanand.
Hard-working production members were: director - Mandy Barrowclift; stage managers - David Morgan and Andrew Davies; costume/props - Jenni Thomas, Cath Graham (Make It Pretty), Cath Morgan, Sian Thomas, Rebecca Brown and Susan Harris; choreography - Chloe Goldie, Claire Porter and James Botani; programme design - Sarah Davies, aged nine, winner of the Young Performers in house programme competition; marketing and press - Andrew Davies, Joanne Vickery and Jenni Thomas.
Principal sponsors were: Sweet T's and Make Your Mark, suppliers of personalised garments; Make It Pretty; Clarice Toys and Only Joking, Tenby; Tenby's Famous £1 Shop; Jazz Sweet Shop, Tenby.
The company would also like to thank Norman Hughes, of Stage Two, and cast member Elliot Freeman, for the loan of sound equipment at very short notice as Club Sound were unavoidably unable to assist with the production.