A CAST of 33 youngsters from Stage 84 have triumphed at the Junior Theatre Festival. Organised by Music Theatre International Europe, the celebration of musical theatre brings together over 1,000 people, including 700 children, and professional directors, choreographers, musical directors and practitioners.

Stage 84 was invited to perform at the inaugural event in 2017 alongside eight other groups from across the UK and went on to win the Outstanding Performance award in the Junior category. This year 36 groups competed, each performing excerpts of a musical for adjudicators. Stage 84 chose Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins Junior, and won Outstanding Production. They also won trophies for Achievement in Music and Outstanding Male Performance, for Lucas Allerton from Baildon. He and Eva Bell of Bingley won the two All Stars award.

Stage 84 students participated in workshops led by theatre professionals, including a choreography workshop led by a cast member from the West End production of Mamma Mia!

As part of the evening awards ceremony, students were treated to live performances from Miriam-Teak Lee, one of the original London cast members in Hamilton.

Stage 84 managing director Craig Winward said: "As one of the original participating groups in the inaugural Junior Theatre Celebration, Stage 84 were delighted to take part in the 2019 Junior Theatre Festival - the largest event of its kind anywhere in Europe. Our young performing arts students worked very hard in recent rehearsals and we were very proud to see them receive five separate awards in recognition of their performance.

"The event encourages children to go out and change the world ‘one musical at a time’ through positivity and working together as a team. Stage 84 is thrilled to be able to offer unique opportunities such as this to our students."

Junior Performing Arts students of Stage 84 will present Disney’s Aladdin Jr at Beckfoot School, Bingley from September 21-22.

Senior students are rehearsing for Rock of Ages, presented at Bingley Arts Centre from July 18-20.