2:38pm Friday 16th July 2010
By Alexandra Womack
13
Shooting Stars Youth Theatre Company
Chipping Sodbury Town Hall
BILLED as a teenage musical with attitude, the youngsters in Shooting Stars didn’t disappoint.
13 is one of the newest shows to make its way across the Atlantic and is packed full of songs, dance moves and a script which could come straight out of the hit TV show Glee.
It tells the age-old tale of teenage angst, first loves and fitting in. But this all American production has punch; a 21st century score and a modern look at High School shenanigans.
New Yorker Evan Goldman (Jacob Warn) sees his world turn upside down when his parents split up and he finds himself in a tiny town in Indiana.
Desperate to impress the ‘it’ crowd so they will come to his forthcoming Bar Mitzvah, the 13-year-old Jew plays matchmaker with Miss Popular Kendra (Rachael Fletcher) and leader of the skater boys Brett (Laura Adams). But his efforts land himself in all sorts of trouble with the conniving Lucy (Emily Cobb) and his two true friends, sickly boy Archie (William Butters) and geek Patrice (Sarah Jones).
Sarah Jones stands out as a talent to watch with a strong vocal lead and emotional solos What it Means to be a Friend and Good Enough.
Laura Adams is so convincing as a super cool heartthrob, you don’t even notice Brett is played by a girl and the other ‘dudes’ in her gang pull some hilarious performances out of the bag. Their rendition of the smooth Hey Kendra is a particular highlight.
The whole company burst onto the stage for every number with energy and bags of enthusiasm, aided by the superb choreography from Alison Gurney. From the opening number Thirteen to the slick Being a Geek and the cheerleaders’ big number Opportunity, these young actors, singers and dancers will make audiences proud.
The cast of teenagers, all from the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area, have clearly adored every second of this fun and fast-paced show and their passionate performances will leave you loving it just as much.
13 is on at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall until Saturday, July 17 (7.30pm). Tickets are available on the door.
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