Final - Saturday 3rd October 2009 

So it was finally the Final of the MK’s Top Talent Competition and after a week of amazing heats Natalie, Cotton Candy, Joe and Adam, Nathaniel, MK Parkour, Holly, Original Genesis, Ella, Adam and Tatiana were waiting impatiently backstage to give their final performance for a chance to win that amazing contract to appear in this year’s pantomime, ‘Cinderella’. The audience was buzzing, the judges were ready and waiting and so begun our evening.

It started with a bang when 12 year old Natalie Kassanga opened the show with a remarkable performance of Beyonce’s ‘Listen’. The panel thought this was an amazing performance as she was only 12 years old and this was the final and she went first. ‘You were fantastic! You have amazing stage presence and I just can’t believe you’re 12 years old!’ were just some of the comments.

Next up was 10 and 12 year old dance act, ‘Cotton Candy’. This act was the winner of the Web vote this week. The judges thought that if they won, they’d bring fun to the panto, and thought their energy was great. ‘You had so much stage to fill and you filled it and your enjoying it really came across’ mentioned one of the panel.

We then had 14 and 16 year old Joe and Adam. These guys performed a song they had written themselves, the panel was really impressed with the commitment and dedication they had put into the performance and the song. ‘I really applaud you for writing your own songs, keep doing it’ ‘You sold it tonight, and you work so well together.’

Nathaniel Remy was up next, he gave a ‘world class’ performance of ‘Summertime’. The panel thought he had great technique and a great, clean voice. ‘You were amazing, I had shivers from when you first started singing and you will not stop in MK you will go worldwide’

Next up was MK Parkour who used a blend of Michael Jackson songs ranging from ‘Beat it’ to ‘black and white’ to ‘Starting Something’ to create a unique performance, which the judges thought was the most developed act of the evening. ‘I loved how you made it for the stage, an entertaining spirit and phenomenal choreography.’

Opening the second half was 16 year old Holly Brewer who gave an amazing musical performance on the piano but also sung as well! Singing and playing, ‘Some people’ by Alicia Keys, the judges described her as, ‘Phenomenal, I was blown away. You’re a blend of roar talent and X Factor.’

Next up we had a dance troop, ‘Original Genesis’. These guys performed an amazingly executed performance. The panel commented on their amazing transformation from their first audition and were so impressed with their ‘tight choreography’ and ‘fantastic energy’. ‘I love how you moved so well together but also really worked well on your individual performances’.

We had little Ella Austin next, at only 9 years old, she gave such a soulful performance; the judges were so impressed with her courage and her mature voice. ‘I’m left utterly speechless, that was an enchanting performance, 10 out of 10 for roar talent.’

Adam Gates was up next, using the same track as his last performance, he somehow made it even more entertaining. ‘Your act is so unique and witty, cleaver and risky all in one, and I applaud you for that, you really do have great potential’. The panel were all impressed with the entertainment value of this act.

Lastly we had 17 year old Tatiana De Souza who sung ‘Spotlight’ by Jenifer Hudson. The judges named her a ‘born performer’ and were really impressed with how she owned the stage and really engaged the audience. ‘You really stepped up to the plate tonight, you sound great and you look great’.

After a spectacular show this evening the judges went off to make their decision on who should take up that amazing prize. And after what I can only imagine as a really tough decision they came out to deliver the prize. And this year the winner of MK’s Top Talent was Holly Brewer, who will be performing in this year’s pantomime, Cinderella. The standard of tonight was really something and I think it’s safe to say that MK really does have talent. It’s been a fantastic week full of talented and original acts so a huge Well Done to them all and a Well Done to Holly our Winner of Mk’s Top Talent 2009.

By Esther Pandya