By Yixiang Zeng
Waltham Forest youngsters brought the house down with their comedy and dancing when they showed off their talent at the Hackney Empire.
The variety show “Play the Empire”, was staged on Sunday evening and included entertaining acts, presented by hand-picked young performers from the five Olympic host boroughs.
E-Motionz, a community dance group from the Outset Centre, Walthamstow, wowed the gallery with their street beats.
Choreographer Tashan Taylor said: “We have been rehearsing the piece for couple of weeks now; we hope all our hard work is paid off, and we want our audience to appreciate us.”
The group, whose members are aged between 13 and 22, showcased their collective piece which also included hip hop, jazz, contemporary and house dance.
Alongside the dancers was aspiring stand-up comedian Ben Sarpong of Bromley Road, Walthamstow.
He got hundreds of people roaring to bits this weekend when he performed, proving that determination goes a long way in shaping his career in comedy.
“If you have a goal, you go for it,” the 18-year-old said of his career, adding that he wrote his own sketch and performed himself. “The show gives me the chance to be on stage and improve my skills. It helps me to be recognised.
“My best memory from 'Play the Empire' is after I had gone through its audition last summer, I was chosen to work with a TV production company named Brown Eyed Boy, and then performed in a BBC Three comedy show called Laughter Shock.”
The event producer Frank Sweeney, from the Hackney Empire, said: “We are trying to engage young people in the arts through the medium of variety show.
“We not only provide them a platform to showcase their talent, but also support and guide them to become professional artists.”
The two-and-an-half-hour show, funded mainly by the London Development Agency, aims to encourage local young people to participate in creative and performing arts, and make best use of their free time.
* Visit www.myspace.com/emotionzuk for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment