Wythenshawe's Got Talent

Wythenshawes Got Talent 2011

Applications now being accepted online or in the post for this years variety show. The official launch will take place on Saturday 18 June at the Wythenshawe Civic Centre. More details to follow.

News

Wythenshawe's Got Talent a Huge Success

12 November 2011

Local performers took to the stage in Wythenshawe's Got Talent on Saturday night as the town celebrated a wide variety of outstanding entertainment.

Some 17 local acts performed at Wythenshawe Forum in front of a sell-out crowd of 650 people.

The audience enjoyed pop, choir, ballads and musicals, along with ballet, tap and cheerleading dance routines.

Pop star and Wythenshawe's Got Talent ambassador, Laura White, kicked-off the show with the aptly titled 'Let's get this Party Started' and 'Proud' as she led the acts onto the stage before returning at the end to sing three hits to amaze the local crowd.

The 17 acts who performed on the night included:

• St Pauls High School Choir
• Sunshine studio dancers
• SINQUO
• Libby Willis
• Manchester All Star Cheerleaders
• Chris Oatway
• Becki Wilding
• Callum Stretton
• Toe Tappers with Gail Marie Shapter
• On Ya Bike Theatre Company with Chelsea Tune
• Poppy O'Neil
• Georgia Kelly
• Toe Tappers
• Fusion Dance
• Zoe Gale
• Pam Thompson
• Gary Walker

Evidence of the high quality of the performers can be seen with Gail Marie Shapter and Fusion Dance asked to audition in Britain's Got Talent.

Wythenshawe's Got Talent was organised by tenants and staff at the town's two housing trusts; Willow Park and Parkway Green.

Chief Executive at Parkway Green Housing Trust, Nigel Wilson, said: "It was fantastic to see such a wide variety of people from across Wythenshawe coming together to enjoy a great night's entertainment and celebrate local talent.

"Laura White's performance was very inspirational, especially for the youngsters, and Wythenshawe's Got Talent provides a fantastic opportunity for residents to showcase their skills and perhaps go on and have careers in the entertainment business."

Joe Doherty, Chief Executive at Willow Park Housing Trust, said: "The show was a huge success and creates a tremendous 'feel good' factor for the whole Wythenshawe community.

"The quality of the acts was incredibly high and they all really enjoyed it, as did the sell-out crowd; well done to everyone involved."

Laura White said: "The talent in Wythenshawe is clear to see. I was amazed at how composed everyone was especially as they had to perform in front of such a big crowd.

"I love singing in my home city of Manchester and the atmosphere created by the friends and family of those taking part made it really special for everyone involved.

"I hope all the acts and those who auditioned continue performing and they really enjoyed the experience."

The variety show was open to people of all ages who live or work in areas with M22 or M23 postcodes.

Judges choose successful acts to perform at Wythenshawe's Got Talent 2011

28 September 2011

Wythenshawe's Got Talent judges have chosen the successful acts to perform alongside pop star Laura White at this year's live event.

Judges chose 15 acts from over 50 that auditioned and they will now go on to perform at Wythenshawe Forum on 12 November.

They will get to share the stage with the show ambassador Laura White who will be singing live on the night.

The judges put the following acts through:

• Twinklers
• Poppy O'Neil
• Sinquo
• Fusion
• Toe Tappers Tap
• Toe Tappers Dance
• Gary Walker
• Rebecca Wilding
• Georgia Kelly
• Libby Willis
• Zoe Gale
• Ryan Wilkins
• Chris Oatway
• St Pauls' Choir
• Pamela Thompson

Laura White said: "The standard of the auditions was very good so we had to make some tough decisions to put just 15 through to the Variety Show.

"It means the event itself is going to feature some high quality performers which I'm really looking forward to and I'm sure everyone who comes along will too.

"I'm also really excited about performing live in Wythenshawe again because the atmosphere last year was amazing."

Wythenshawe's Got Talent was created and is run by tenants of the town's two housing trusts; Willow Park and Parkway Green, and members of the ambassador group were on hand to support Laura White judge the acts.

Parkway Green Housing Trust tenant Pat Higson is a member of the ambassador group and said: "Last year Wythenshawe's Got Talent was a sell-out and I expect another full house given the standard of the acts chosen to perform live on the night.

"Everyone who took part in the auditions should take pride in being involved and hopefully we'll see them come along to enjoy the Variety Show and give their support."

Gemma Waddell of Willow Park Housing Trust, said: "All the judges were really taken aback by all the acts and it shows just how much talent there is in Wythenshawe.

"It is really important people are given this opportunity and in turn, supported by the local community."

The Variety Show is being held at Wythenshawe Forum on 12 November with Laura White performing at the start of the show and at the end to bring the curtain down on the 2011 event.

Tickets go on sale on 7 October from Wythenshawe Forum costing £6 for adults and £4 for concessions (children / OAPs / students).

Those performing on the night can buy tickets for family and friends in advance by calling event organiser Penni Pennington of Connectin on 07968 033779.

For more information visit the line up page.

One week to go for Wythenshawe's Got Talent 2011

15 August 2011

Talented people in Wythenshawe have just a week to enter the town's most popular event of the year.

Over 100 acts have already applied to take part in Wythenshawe's Got Talent ahead of the Friday 19 August deadline.

People of all ages can apply with the only criteria being a M22 or M23 postcode and a special talent.

Pop star Laura White has been confirmed to judge the auditions at the Civic Centre on Saturday 10 September and perform live at the show at Wythenshawe Forum on Saturday 12 November.

Wythenshawe's Got Talent is organised by tenants of the town's two social housing trusts; Willow Park and Parkway Green, who are building on last year's success that saw more than 650 people enjoy the live event.

Willow Park Housing Trust Chief Executive, Joe Doherty, said: "Everything is geared up for another fantastic show especially given the number of people who have entered to take part already.

"Not only does it bring the town closer together, it gives everyone the perfect opportunity to really celebrate the talent in the area and hopefully inspires people on to great things."

Chief Executive at Parkway Green Housing Trust, Nigel Wilson, said: "Wythenshawe's Got Talent has created a really exciting atmosphere around the town so I hope even more people sign-up in the final week.

"Having a talent like Laura White supporting the event is a great boost and I'm sure all the acts are looking forward to impressing her at the auditions and seeing her perform at the show."

New hunt for Wythenshawe's talent begins

18 June 2011

The hunt for even more of Wythenshawe's most talented people gets under way this Saturday (18 June) as Wythenshawe's Got Talent 2011 officially launches in the town centre.

Organised by the town's two social housing trusts; Willow Park and Parkway Green, people of all ages who have a M22 or a M23 postcode can sign-up to audition at the Civic Centre.

Last year's event was a huge success with more than 650 people enjoying some 18 local acts of song and dance routines who made it through from over 70 who auditioned.

Pop star and former X-Factor finalist Laura White, and Jerry Tse from professional dance and arts studio, Sunshine Dance Studios, were among the judges with Miss White performing live on the night at Wythenshawe Forum.

Take That's Jason Orange, who grew up in the town, was an official ambassador and talks are underway regarding another high profile celebrity to support this year's event.

Willow Park Housing Trust Chief Executive, Joe Doherty, said: "We are looking to build on the success of last year's event and make 2011 an even better spectacle for the Wythenshawe community.

"It is really important we bring the people of east and west Wythenshawe together more often and community events like Wythenshawe's Got Talent play a huge part in doing this."

Parkway Green Housing Trust Chief Executive, Nigel Wilson, said: "It is the perfect opportunity for residents to showcase their skills and celebrate everything that is good about the area.

"Last year was a big success with a large number of acts singing and dancing and this year we are encouraging more people to take part and looking for a wider variety of acts such as comedy, acting, or an unusual talent that makes people say 'wow'."

The closing date for applications is 19 August with auditions being held on the 10 September. The Variety Show will be held on 12 November at Wythenshawe Forum.

Application forms and more details are available by clicking here.

Variety Shows Wythenshawe really has got talent

8 November 2010

Pop star Laura White shared the stage with 18 local acts as the third Wythenshawe's Got Talent event proved a huge success.

A sell-out crowd at Wythenshawe Forum saw former X-Factor finalist Laura White perform five songs as part of the Variety Show on Saturday night.

She kicked-off the show with the aptly titled 'Let's get this Party Started' and returned to the stage at the end to sing covers of Alesha Dixon's Let's Get Excited and Crazy for You by Adele before finishing with Take That's Greatest Day as she was joined on stage by all the acts and organisers.

Laura is currently putting the finishing touches to her debut album which is due out in 2011 and paid tribute to the acts and the event.

She said: "It was a fantastic night and although I knew the acts were really talented after seeing them at the auditions, I was amazed at just how good they were and how well they coped with performing in front of such a big crowd.

"It was really nice to be back performing in my home city but the night was all about the acts and their family and friends who came along to support them – it was a brilliant advert for everyone connected with Wythenshawe."

Organised by tenants and staff at the town's two housing trusts; Willow Park and Parkway Green, over 650 people witnessed acts that included a variety of singing and dancing routines.

The 18 acts were chosen by eight tenant judges who were led by Laura White and Jerry Tse from professional dance and arts studio, Sunshine Dance Studios, after auditions in October that saw over 70 acts take part.

Callum Stretton

Wythenshawe's Got Talent was also supported by Take That star Jason Orange.

Having been raised in the town, and having first-hand experience of how talent can be discovered to kick-start a successful entertainment career, Jason encouraged residents of all ages in the area to register and get involved.

Jason Orange said: "Wythenshawe's Got Talent is a fantastic provides a great opportunity for people from my home town to showcase their talents and perhaps go on and have careers in the entertainment business.

"Knowing Wythenshawe and the people who live there, I knew it would be a great event and I hope everyone really enjoyed it!"

Joe Doherty, Chief Executive at Willow Park Housing Trust, said: "The role Wythenshawe's Got Talent is playing in bringing the east and west of the town's communities together is invaluable.

"The event was a great testimony to the tenants who organised it and of course, all the acts who took part on the night and in the auditions. There's so much talent in the Wythenshawe and we hope it inspires them to go on and really develop their skills."

Chief Executive at Parkway Green Housing Trust, Nigel Wilson, said: "Seeing so many people from across Wythenshawe, young and old, together enjoying such a great night's entertainment was incredibly pleasing.

"The event is a fantastic occasion for the Wythenshawe community to showcase and celebrate local talent and having stars like Laura and Jason supporting it really inspires people to get involved."

The variety show was open to people of all ages who live or work in areas with M22 or M23 postcodes.

Laura White is pictured performing at Wythenshawe's Got Talent.

Two extra acts as judges decide Variety Show line-up

14 October 2010

Such was the standard of auditions at Wythenshawe's Got Talent that judges put two extra acts through to share the stage with pop star Laura White at next month's Variety Show.

Initially only 15 acts were going to be chosen to perform at the Variety Show at Wythenshawe Forum, but 17 will now tread the boards on November 6 after judges failed to separate them.

Pop star Laura White led a team of judges made up of tenants from Willow Park and Parkway Green Housing Trusts in assessing over 50 performances on Saturday (9 October).

But the high standard forced organisers to re-write the rules and give the crowd two bonus acts to enjoy.

Laura White said: "We knew on the day of the auditions that it was going to be very hard to narrow the number of acts down to just 15 to perform in the Variety Show, and in the end we felt it was only fair to put two more through because the standard was so high.

"We really couldn't separate them which shows just how good they were and I'm sure everyone who is attending will be really pleased as they get to see even more of Wythenshawe's talent perform!

"It means the event on November 6th is going to be a great show for all the family to enjoy with different dance and singing acts on the line-up and I can't wait to sing in my home city again too."

The former X-Factor finalist is taking time off from her busy schedule recording her debut album to perform the first and last song of the evening to support the third year of Wythenshawe's Got Talent.

Auditions included pop, soul and classical singing and different dance routines, with the judges putting the following acts through:

• Expression Dance
• TLG
• R3D - Remeir Ellison
• Sugar & Spice - Amelia Hannah & Clarice Heyes
• Callum Stretton
• Gary Walker
• Linnette Taylor
• Gail Marie Shaper
• Ryan Wilks
• Lily Buckley
• Chelsea Tune
• Lime - Megan & Olivia
• Poppy
• Michael Bates
• Cheerleaders
• Flamin Riot
• Kaitlyn O'Neil

Chief Executive at Parkway Green Housing Trust, Nigel Wilson, said: "The decision to put another couple of acts through shows just how much talent there is in Wythenshawe and it's a nice bonus for everyone who will be watching on the night."

Joe Doherty, Chief Executive at Willow Park Housing Trust, said: "People young and old from east and west Wythenshawe took part in the auditions and will no doubt be there on the night with their families and friends to support the acts - the role Wythenshawe's Got Talent is playing in bringing the community together is invaluable."

Tickets for the event cost £6 with family discounts available and can be bought from the reception at Wythenshawe Forum.

Also lending his support to this year's event is Take That star, Jason Orange, who having being raised in the town, encouraged residents to take part.





Pop star Laura White to perform and judge at Wythenshawe's Got Talent

22 September 2010

Pop star and former X-Factor singing sensation Laura White is the latest star to support this year's Wythenshawe's Got Talent show.

Laura joins Take That's Jason Orange in backing the variety show, and will be using her experience of talent shows to judge the auditions on October 9.

She will also be supporting acts in the Final Variety Show on November 6 at Wythenshawe Forum and will bring the curtain down on the event by performing songs from her forthcoming album.



The show is open to people of all ages who live or work in areas with M22 or M23 postcodes and aims to build on last year's success when over 1,000 people took part.

The closing date for entries is this Friday (24th September) and the competition is being run by tenants and staff at two Manchester housing trusts; Parkway Green and Willow Park.

Laura White shot to fame to become one of the country's rising stars when taking part in X-Factor in 2008. Her controversial exit from the popular show resulted in over 50,000 people petitioning for her return, created a debate in Parliament and saw thousands of viewers boycotting the hit television programme.

Her popularity has continued to grow and Laura is currently putting the finishing touches to her album which will be released at the end of the year.

Laura White said: "I'm really please to be supporting Wythenshawe's Got Talent and looking forward to judging the acts in October and performing live at the Variety Show in November.

"I took part in a lot of talent shows when I was younger so I know just how important they are to give people the opportunity to show what they can do and give them the experience and confidence to get on stage and perform in front of a live audience".





Wythenshawe's Got Talent 2010 officially launched

5 August 2010



This year's Wythenshawe's Got Talent was officially launched in the town centre on Saturday.

Over 300 applications were handed out and nearly 50 people have signed-up already to take part in the variety show.

This year sees Take That star Jason Orange backing the event which is run by housing trusts Parkway Green and Willow Park, and is open to people of all ages who have a M22 or a M23 postcode.

Poppy O'Neil was just nine-years-old when she won last year's event and was one of the first to commit to taking part in this year's show.



Since winning, she has gone on to star in a dance production where she took part in 16 shows across the UK taking in the likes of Blackpool, Ellesmere Port, Bury and Birmingham.

Joining Poppy in signing-up for Wythenshawe's Got Talent 2010 was the Toe Tappers Dance School, which won the 12 to 17-year-old age group categories in 2008 and 2009, as well as being runner-up in the under-11s section last year.

Caroline Appleby of Toe Tappers Dance School said: "This year we have 15 members taking part in Wythenshawe's Got Talent and we are really looking forward to it because over the last two years we have entered, we have seen a very positive affect on the dance school and it has really increased our popularity and more people have joined and been able to enjoy what we offer."



Willow Park Housing Trust Chief Executive, Joe Doherty, said: "The success of the weekend has been really encouraging and we would urge residents young and old to apply, show off their talents and really enjoy themselves in a fun community event.

"The variety show is open to people of all ages and abilities and we would really like to see a variety of acts from a broad section of the Wythenshawe community take part."

Parkway Green Housing Trust Chief Executive, Nigel Wilson, said: "The event brings the Wythenshawe community closer together and provides the perfect opportunity for residents to show their pride in the town and celebrate everything that is good about the area.

"We have seen from the previous two years that Wythenshawe is full of talented people and we are hoping to make this year's event bigger and better than ever before."

Lending his support to the event is Take That star Jason Orange. Having been raised in Wythenshawe and having first-hand experience of how talent can be discovered to kick-start a successful entertainment career, Jason is now encouraging residents of all ages in the area to register and get involved.

Jason Orange said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for people from my home town to showcase their talents and perhaps go on and have careers in the entertainment business.

"Knowing Wythenshawe and the people who live there, I'm sure it will be a great event and I'd encourage everyone to get involved and most importantly, really enjoy it!"

The closing date for applications is the 24th September with auditions being held on the 9th October at Wythenshawe Forum.

On the 11th October, the 15 successful acts chosen to perform in the grand final on November the 6th will be notified.





Take That star Jason Orange lends support to Wythenshawe's Got Talent

16 July 2010

Wythenshawe residents are being given chance to parade their skills and talents in a special variety show with the launch of Parkway Green Housing Trust and Willow Park Housing Trust's Wythenshawe's Got Talent 2010 event.

Lending his support to the event is Take That star Jason Orange. Having been raised in Wythenshawe and having first-hand experience of how talent can be discovered to kick-start a successful entertainment career, Jason is now encouraging residents of all ages in the area to register and get involved.

Jason Orange said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for people from my home town to showcase their talents and perhaps go on and have careers in the entertainment business."

"Knowing Wythenshawe and the people who live there, I'm sure it will be a great event and I'd encourage everyone to get involved and most importantly, really enjoy it!"

Now in its third year, the variety show is open to people of all ages who live or work in areas with M22 or M23 postcodes and aims to build on last year's success when over 1,000 people took part.

Wythenshawe's Got Talent has played an important role in bringing the Wythenshawe community together and giving residents an opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Joe Doherty, Chief Executive at Willow Park Housing Trust, said "We are delighted to support the Wythenshawe's Got Talent Variety Show.

"The event is a fantastic opportunity for the Wythenshawe community to showcase and celebrate local talent.

"It also provides contestants of all ages and abilities the chance to broaden their horizons and realise their true potential, something which creates a tremendous 'feel good' factor for the whole Wythenshawe community and beyond."

Parkway Green Housing Trust's Chief Executive, Nigel Wilson, said: "It is fantastic that a star as big as Jason Orange is willing to lend his support to the local community and we hope he inspires residents of all ages and abilities to take part.

"Events like Wythenshawe's Got Talent play a huge role in bringing communities closer together and I'm really looking forward to seeing the talent we have and hopefully we'll unearth performers who may go on to be the next big stars from the area."

The closing date for applications is the 24th September with auditions being held on the 9th October at Wythenshawe Forum.

On the 11th October, the 15 successful acts chosen to perform in the grand final on November the 6th will be notified.

Application forms and more details are available here.