Below are some press reviews that Début Theatre School has received for past productions.

Tribute show that's full of Disney magic
Diz-Mania at Bingley Arts Centre

The magic of Disney was brought to life on stage last night by Mickey Mouse and friends - aka the talented pupils of Début Theatre School. This feel good revue was a fabulous showcase of the song and dance skills of youngsters aged three to 18.

Well-loved Disney numbers from films such as Aristocats, Aladdin, Toy Story and Beauty and the Beast were set to a wide range of beautifully choreographed dance routines, from tango to Fosse.

It was a nice touch to have each segment introduced by narrators dressed as Disney characters including Mickey, Peter Pan and Cruella De Ville who told us about the background to classic movies and songs.

Colourful co-ordinated costumes lit up the stage. I particularly liked the flippers and mermaids routine, The Jungle Book dancers and the impossibly cute little Minnie Mouses.

This show is dedicated to the memory of Alan Moulson, a big supporter of Début who died this year from motor neurone disease. The youngsters who delivered a hugely entertaining and impressive show last night did him proud.

Sparkling 'Hello Dolly' at Guiseley
Review by John Burland

Since opening its doors in 1995 it soon became apparent that under the guidance of Principals Jacqui Drake and David Kirk, Début Theatre School in Shipley, would become one of the leading Theatre Schools in Yorkshire.

It was not a surprise, therefore, that in 2002 they opened another branch in Headingley. To celebrate their tenth anniversary Début presented the hit musical 'Hello Dolly' at Guiseley Theatre. There are over 50 youngsters taking part, whose ages range from 6 to 20.

Playing the title role of Dolly Gallagher Levi was 20 year old Victoria Settle from Guiseley who belies her young age with an outstanding performance. This is a very demanding role with the character being on stage virtually throughout the show and she carried it off with aplomb. Vicky has a very powerful voice bought out to good effect in numbers such as "I Put My Hand In" and "Motherhood March" as well as the main chorus numbers of "Sunday Clothes" and "Before the Parade Passes By".

Adding excellent support were her fellow principals, Dale Havers as Horice Vandergelder; Samuel Pollen as Cornelius Hackl; Samuel Parkinson as Barnaby Tucker; Sylvia Entwistle as Irene Molloy and Emily Walton as Minnie Fay.

Of these I must particularly mention Samuel Pollen and Sylvia Entwistle who were outstanding in their roles. I remember seeing Michael Crawford in the role of Cornelius in the film version starring Barbara Streisand and Samuel reminded me very much of him - a great talent in someone so young. I thought his singing of "It Only Takes a Moment" was extremely mature and powerful. Sylvia was enchanting as Irene Molloy, the millinery shop owner, and her rendition of "Ribbons Down My Back" was excellent.

Hello Dolly contains some great chorus lines and it was in these where Jacqui Drake's great choreography skills were brought to bear with the stage being a mass of bodies but al in perfect synchronisation. Add to this some great singing , which meant the brilliance of numbers such as "Sunday Clothes", "Before the Parade Passes By" and the title number "Hello Dolly" all shone out from this talented group of youngsters. How often has it been said that the youth of today contribute little to society? Here, under the brilliant musical and theatrical direction of David Kirk and the choreography skills of Jacqui Drake, this group of talented youngsters have made a great contribution to the local area in the pleasure they give to so many people.

I look forward to seeing what the next ten years of Début has to produce.

Name says it all in Début's Starstruck Spectacular show
Review by John Burland

The name says it all. This was certainly a spectacular show by Début Theatre School performed in Bingley Arts Centre last week. A total of 170 youngsters were taking part, obviously not all on the stage at the same time although there were a couple of numbers where I counted over 60 performers there.

The youngsters range in age from 3 to 22 and all seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. There were three sections to each half and a range of age groups took part in most of these, although the very young performers were mainly in the first half. The show commenced with a selection of songs from the relatively new musical "The Producers" which is opening in the West End this summer. Although the songs are not well known, they are very catchy and I thought the number "Keep It Gay" with four of the older performers was extremely funny. The "Mary Poppins" section, much better known to the audience, followed this. Here the junior classes played a major role with some help from the senior section in the final number "Step In Time".

The final part of the first half is 'Feline Friends' which as well as songs from the musical "Cats" also includes items from Winnie The Pooh, The Aristocats, and Top Cat.

The second half featured more of the older performers and here there were several notable performances. Outstanding was Vicky Settle in the number "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" and in the duet "Don't Ah Ma Me" with Emma Simpson. This was in the section by Kander and Ebbs, which included items from Cabaret, Chicago and 70 Girls 70.

The second section was songs from South Pacific where Simon Shorten excelled with his rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening". The last section in the second half was an ABBA tribute and the final number of "Thank You for the Music" seemed to sum up the evening. There had been some really excellent music, some great choreography and most of all some spectacular costumes.

Plaudit for this must go to Sonia Lord and her team for kitting out 170 performers in such a wide range of outfits, all of which matched the mood of the songs.

David Kirk and Jacqui Drake, the principals of Début Theatre School based at Shipley and Headingley, who acted as Musical Director and Choreographer respectively for this show, must be applauded for all their hard work with these youngsters, some of whom will be the future stars for local theatres in West Yorkshire, and maybe in the case of Vicky and Simon even the West End.

Spectacular's just the word

From the moment the Début Theatre School pupils burst out onto the stage with a raucous number from La Cage Aux Folles it was clear the show would live up to its name.

It must have needed military-style planning to put on a show of this size, style and complexity but Début pulled it off. Vast ranks of energetic youngster sang, danced and acted their way through everything from Hello Dolly, to Doctor Dolittle in a dazzling array of quick-change costumes - hats off to Sonia Lord and her wardrobe team.

The tiny ones stole the show dressed as everything from wartime evacuees, to sea creatures and Wombles.

But the outstanding performance of the night belonged to Louise George singing "Tap Your Troubles" and Simon Shorten, whose magnificent voice wouldn't disgrace a West End stage.

Stage school debut leaves audience asking for more
John Burland reviews Oliver!

Consider yourself well entertained! This could be a new line from one of the songs in this spectacular musical performed by Début Theatre School. This stage school, catering for young performers, meet in Shipley and Headingley and the two branches joined forces for this show, the first major musical they have presented. A number of the youngsters are already members of other musical societies, particularly the Barnstormers in Guiseley, but for many this was their first opportunity to perform on stage before a live audience.

And they certainly lapped it up! Whatever was lacking in professionalism, (and that was not very much at all) was more than made up for by the sheer enthusiasm of the company, which comprised a total of 84 youngsters aged between 6 and 20.

The stage version of Oliver! is adapted from Charles Dickens's classic tale. There were several notable performances, but one person, in my opinion, stood out above the rest. This was Vicky Settle in the part of Nancy. Seventeen year old Vicky has a talent way beyond her tender years. If she is looking at a career in musical theatre I am sure she would be a success and I could see her making a West End appearance in a year or two. Her rendition particularly of "As Long As He Needs Me" was outstanding. It is not often that a performance can make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck but this was one such occasion.

I am sure that I saw tears in the eyes of one or two of the older ladies and gentlemen in the audience towards the end of this number.

As well as this particular song Vicky also shone in the numbers "It's A Fine Life" with the chorus. And it was the chorus numbers that brought out the full depth of talent of Début Theatre School. "Food Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself" and "Who Will Buy" all were very well performed by the group, as were "Pick A Pocket or Two".

And here in the part of Fagin we had another great talent in Mark Hancock who, Jacqui Drake the school's principal and show's choreographer told me had never been on stage before this particular production.

His singing and acting were excellent, but if I have one constructive criticism for him, it is to not rush his words and speak up. Nevertheless, at 12 years old, he has plenty of time to learn and I am sure this will not be the last time we hear of Mark in local theatre. His rendition of "Reviewing The Situation" was excellent and I must mention here the violin playing of Craig Halliday, the lead violinist in the 12 piece orchestra.

Another 12 year old was George O'Neil of Guiseley in the role of the Artful Dodger. Again, he turned in an outstanding performance, particularly in "Consider Yourself". There were a few older performers, (if you can call 17 to 20 old) who added a more mature depth to the show and these were Simon Shorten as Mr Bumble, excellent in the songs "Oliver!" and "Boy For Sale" alongside Helen Bentley as Widow Corney. Helen was last seen in the Christmas production by Barnstormers of Rock Nativity as Mary. Alongside her in that production was her brother Chris Bentley, who was excellent in the part of Bill Sykes in this show. If Vicky Settle was the outstanding female, Chris has to take the plaudits as the best male performer. Not the biggest part in the show, but the meanest without doubt and Chris played this to perfection. His dramatic fight scenes with Nancy towards the end were excellent. Also, Thomas Rowbottom as Mr Sowerby the undertaker, Aimee Saunders as his wife, Abi Bucknell as Bet, Patrick Rowbottom as Mr Brownlow and Hayley Wade as Mrs Bedwin all played their roles well. I particularly enjoyed the number "It's Your Funeral" with Mr & Mrs Sowerby and Mr Bumble.

But there is still one youngster to mention, and that is Daniel Sapko in the title role. Daniel is only nine but played the role of Oliver superbly. He has a crystal clear voice, which was delightful in "Where Is Love".

It was a thoroughly entertaining show, well produced by David Kirk and superbly choreographed by Jacqui Drake with excellent musical direction by Andrew Bedford. I look forward to seeing many more of their productions in the future.

Hard work pays off in slick show
Starstruck Millennium Spectacular, review by Bernard Parry

Like other academies of performing arts in the area, the Début Theatre School is the starting point for many aspiring youngsters with stars in their eyes.

More than 200 students feature in this showcase presentation aimed at giving parents and friends both an evening of musical theatre and an idea of how the young people are progressing.

Those in the audience were not disappointed. From the opening number, a glorious Roaring Twenties routine, there is sufficient evidence that the hard work put in by principal Jacqui Drake and her staff has not gone unheeded.

Everyone on stage gave it all they'd got in a colourful extravaganza of songs and dances from hit musicals in which a notable feature was the slickness of entrances and exits by all members of the huge cast.

Musical director David Kirk and his orchestra provide memorable foot-tapping melodies in this show.

Wonderful show
Starstruck Millennium Spectacular

After reading Bernard Parry's review about Starstruck Millennium Spectacular (T&A) I knew we were in for a good show. Début Theatre School excelled themselves. The costumes alone must have taken a lot of time to make.

They were all a delight to watch and listen to and the budding comedy stars were hilarious. Well done Jacqui and David, for Début.

Shirley Harrison, Eccleshill