Last places booked up for tonight's grand final
TONIGHT twelve finalists will take to the stage at the Regent Theatre knowing a winning performance could make their career.
Whoever is crowned Stoke's Top Talent will win a three-month contract to star in this year's Regent Theatre pantomime Dick Whittington, alongside Jonathan Wilkes, and a £1,000 cash prize from show sponsors The Sentinel.
Since Monday, 50 of the city's best singers, dancers and comedians have graced the stage of the Regent Theatre.
And last night the atmosphere in the auditorium was electric as the contestants sang, danced and laughed in the hope of impressing judges Nikki Wheeler, Kevin Wood, Martin Tideswell, Nick Hancock and Amy Diamond to win their place in tonight's final.
First up was Maddogs, the award-winning martial arts demonstration squad from Hanley who brought so much energy to the stage that even veteran Kevin Wood announced: "I'm not supposed to like this."
But while high energy started the show, 13-year-old soprano Jodie Bailey brought the audience and judges to their feet when she slowed the pace down with a mature performance of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You.
The only one of his kind on the night, 16-year-old comedian Dave Pengelly was the third act of the night and his confident style, for what Nick Hancock classed as a "tough gig", really got the audience going.
Multi-talented musician Megan Hancock opted to sing Alicia Keys' difficult No One, with judge Nikki Wheeler noting the 10-year-old Nikki was a youngster with plenty of potential.
Michael Tremble's controlled performance of Leona Lewis's Run was enough to see him through to tonight's final.
But there was tough competition from rap artist Blake, who, along with dancers from Studio One, energised the audience with his clear-cut style.
Singer April Lancaster followed, and while the 13-year-old has been performing for less than two years, her potential during the evening's second performance of I Will Always Love You was clear.
Booking the last direct spot in tonight's final were street dancing trio Hypnotic. The 10-year-old girls from Bucknall chose a great selection of up-beat songs to dance their way to the final. Their talent was so impressive that choreographer Nikki Wheeler was quick to label them "the best little dancers I've ever seen."
With just two acts remaining, smooth singer Che McDonald got the audience well and truly in the mood for the weekend with his rendition of Lionel Richie's All Night Long.
For many Claire Malpass' haunting version of Pie Jesu should have seen her sail through to the final, but the 15-year-old soprano from Meir Park, who filled the final slot in last night's heat, just missed out. Although disappointing, she can take home Nick Hancock's comment that "it was haunting, it was beautiful and I was really moved".
But the judges didn't get the final say. Lindsay Kearns, who sang and danced on Tuesday, won The Sentinel's online vote while young dancers Martyn Baxter and Cole Dunn – known as Martyn and Cole – won over the audience of The Regent to complete tonight's line-up.
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by me, NrYou
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 5:01PM
“well done to all that were gud enough to make it to the final you all deserved your place all twelve of you . its just some JEALOUS PEOPLE just carnt let it go nevermind well done to you all' they will get over soon gud luck to su anigib”
by Me, NrYou
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 4:25PM
“Bang on Queue Ang!!!! Anyways..... Well done To Everyone - Finals or No Finals.. You ALL did Excellent. No Doubt u will be checkin so u can keep it going!!! What a Boring life you lead!!!!! Worse than the Kids!!!”
by angela, bucknall
Monday, September 14 2009, 5:08PM
“well done hypnotic you were ace in the final you shud be proud of yourselfs for getting thru to the final well done girls xx”
by BADDARENAS, Stoke
Saturday, September 12 2009, 8:30PM
“Well Done Everyone... Its been amazin and some great talent has been on stage.. Well Donje to Us All xxxx BADDARENAS X”
by BADDARENAS, Stoke
Saturday, September 12 2009, 6:27PM
“Good Luck the Dance Acts tonite... and everyone else too.. Its been a tough Week and we have had a great time and the Experience was Ace... Well Done Everyone... Baddarenas.. Still Think Ignition Shud of Been in the Final.... xxx”
by kerry, stoke
Saturday, September 12 2009, 2:32PM
“anyone selling tickets 4 tonight my daughter got in final?”
by Angela, Church Lawton
Saturday, September 12 2009, 1:26PM
“My daughter and I have had a thoroughly entertaining week attending 3 out of the 5 heats and looking forward with great anticipation to this evening's Grand Final! The judges have had a truly difficult job choosing just 2 performers from each heat to go through, some of whom we totally agreed with, while others who weren't put through, surprised us! We totally backed the judges on Monday when they chose 3Dom - they have our vote every time - so talented and so lovely. We will proudly wear our t-shirts tonight in support of these 3 superstars! We were equally disappointed when the very talented Jack Eagles didn't make it though this year. Another shock was the amazing operatic soprano Joy Sidley-Brooks who gave an amazing performance, but was not the judges choice either this time. Young performer Lindsay Kearns was another talent that wasn't put through by the judges,but thanks to the Sentinel vote will thankfully have a second chance to impress them in tonight's Final! Last night's heat was a difficult one for the judges, but congratulations to Michael and Hypnotic who were very entertaining. Jodie Bailey and Claire Malpass were in a class of their own, and although didn't make it to the Grand Final, I feel are destined for bigger and better things. These two young vocalists gave performances so mature and engaging - they will both go far. Good luck to all tonight's finalists who entertained us this week and deserve their places in the Grand Final!”
by Angela DAVIES, Church Lawton
Saturday, September 12 2009, 12:24PM
“My daughter and I have been to 3 out of the 5 heats and have been tremendously impressed with the outstanding talent from every single competitor. The standard has been incredibly high this year, and I think the judges have had a particularly difficult task choosing just two from each heat to go through to today's Grand Final. I expect we are not alone in not agreeing with some of their decisions but also abosolutely delighted with some of the others! 3Dom got our vote on Monday and we will be proud to wear our T-Shirts in support of them tonight. However, we were shocked that the incredible Jack Eagles didn't get through! To us, Joy Sidley-Brooks the amazing operatic soprano was an absolute cert, but not one of the judges choices this year. Chelsie Tyrell is another favourite of ours and the judges alike. We were sad when young Lindsay Kearns didn't get through, but thanks to the Sentinel vote she will have another chance to impress the judges tonight in the final! Last night was a difficult one for the judges, and well done to Michael and Hypnotic for making it to the Grand Final BUT Jodie and Clare were in a class apart and to us were the 2 winners! Nevermind girls, we feel you're both destined for bigger and better things. Good luck to everyone in tonight's final - you ALL deserve your places there!”
by Maddogs, Hanley
Saturday, September 12 2009, 12:05PM
“Maddogs would like to wish everyone good luck in tonights final! We have really enjoyed Stoke's Top Talent this year and wish everyone the best of luck!!! See you all next year.”
by Philip, Meir
Saturday, September 12 2009, 11:38AM
“Well done Michael ...good luck in the final tonight”