By Karol Steele
Dover Youth Theatre's summer workshop performance took place in Dover Town Hall yesterday (18 August) playing to a packed and appreciative audience.

After just six days of rehearsals, the 30-strong cast of talented 10-to-25-year-olds from across the district gave a three hour show on the theme of 'Film, Sport and the Performing Arts', which featured songs, dances and scenes from shows and movies about sport and sporting achievements.

The performance included favourites such as "It's Not Where You Start" from 'Seesaw'; "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"; "She Likes Basket Ball" from 'Promises, Promises'; 'Daisy Pulls it Off'; "You've Got to Have Heart" from 'Damn Yankees'; "The Eye of the Tiger" from 'Rocky'; the poem "Ping Pong"; "Bathing Beauties" from 'Love Never Dies'; a scene from 'Up 'n' Under'; and "You'll Never Walk Alone" from 'Carousel'.

There was also a specially devised piece called 'Olympian Trip' written by Dover Youth Theatre's Director Michael Thomas; a National Dance sequence put together by choreographer Julia Rennells; and a Bar Room Brawl, choreographed by fight and stunt co-ordinators Josiah Rose and Jonathan Howlett.

During interval the audience watched the films the students had made with the help of 'The Boat That Rocked' film maker Steve Thomas.

The films will also be shown on Dover's big screen in the autumn as part of the BBC's programming in the run-up to the Olympics.

The show was put together by DYT's Artistic Director Marie Kelly-Thomas and Stage Manager Andrew Martyn; while all the musical numbers were directed by West End Musical Director Grant Martin of 'We Will Rock Rock You' fame.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©