BYTES 10th Anniversary Awards Show - Review courtesy of The Rossendale Free press.

SHOW-stopping youngsters brought the house down when they took to the stage to celebrate their youth theatre’s 10th anniversary.

They began the show with a mini-drama of The Railway Children and moved on to sing songs from the many shows the youngsters have performed over the years.

Their chanting of Rats, Rats, Rats, from The Pied Piper, was superb and former BYTES member Grant Bromley returned to sing the lead in the Joseph tribute songs which made spectacular use of choreography with the huge dream coat.

The enjoyment in Laurence Giltrow-Shaw’s eyes shone out as he sung Poop Poop, Poop Poop from The Wind in the Willows and then his superb version of With a Little Bit of Luck was every bit as good as his rendition in this year’s performance My Fair Lady.

With his booming voice Philip Rowbottom gave a dramatic and poignant On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady. And no review would be just without mentioning Sophie Lord, from Pirates of Penzance to the King and I, she enthralled the audience with her voice and presence.

There is so much young talent in Bacup it is fantastic to see. Musical director Graham Helm also kept the musicians, and the young singers, in perfect pitch.

Well deserved trophies and certificates were handed out to all.

Catherine Smyth 14th December 2007