TV stars Ant and Dec showed their support to the stage stars of the future when they popped up in the audience at an end-of-year show at the Wyvern.

The popular duo are patrons of the Wilkes Academy, set up by theatre veteran Jonathan Wilkes three years ago to pass on acting, singing and dance skills to youngsters in the Swindon area.

Fellow patrons, the comedian and presenter Paddy McGuiness and choreographer Arlene Phillips, were also at the Wyvern on Wednesday as local performers joined those from Wilkes Academies around the country for their end-of-year extravaganza.

Jonathan said: "It was an amazing night and quite astounding to think we are now three years old and how things have taken off in that time.

"Ant and Dec are our patrons and always show their support for the end of year show by coming along to see what we've been doing. Paddy McGuiness and Arlene Phillips are also patrons and it was great to see them there too.

"Their support is wonderful - Ant and Dec will be offering their scholarship next year, and are always interested to see what the students have been up to.

"The amount of talent we have in our students is phenomenal. This is the start of a great big adventure for us."

REVIEW

Wilkes Academy annual end of year show

THIS show is now in its third year and to say it was completely engaging and impressive from start to finish would be an understatement.

The energy, the enthusiasm, the sheer skills of every single performer who graced the stage was enough to rival any West End musical production (and I have seen a few!)

‘9 to 5’ was the first theme of the night, with the performers bursting onto the stage in their work uniforms, with laptops in hand. It progressed into what can only be described as a high impact, enticing start to the night.

The moves displayed throughout the night, including tap, ballet, contemporary and break dancing, were on point and not one mistake was made. Every move was exact, every performer giving it their all and every accompanying effect not missing a beat.

A real highlight of the night were the two comperes Harry and Dan, who came onto the stage and spoke to the crowd between the numbers. Their humourous interaction got everyone laughing and, when they mentioned that they could be the new Ant and Dec (who are patrons and happened to be in the audience) they were not far wrong. Watch out lads!

Wilkes Academy clearly produces students who are the finest example of performing arts – the vocals, the moves and the acting skills are of the highest calibre.

In the Wizard Of Oz section, the rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and the costumes throughout all numbers had an amazing attention to detail.

While the first half was faultless, the second half was even more outstanding.

Da Vinci’s Dream was a very hard-hitting piece and Serenade was such an elegant, graceful and mesmerising piece of ballet that it was enough to bring tears to your eyes. Yes, I wept.

The real pièce de résistance, however, had to be the three pieces (each performed by either year 1, year 2 or year 3 students) which then accumulated into a dance off between them all. If you want to see what happens at the end in the dance, make sure you go along.

The very end of the show was a nod to the musical Sister Act, with all of the students, complete with purple gowns, taking to the stage and then off it again when they ran out into the audience.

Entertainment seriously doesn’t get any better than this and the Wilkes Academy must be so proud of each and every one of their students for totally smashing it in this unforgettable performance. - KELLY JOBANPUTRA