A SCINTILLATING showcase of song and dance will be held to celebrate 35 years of a musical theatre group for young people.

WOW Youth Musical Theatre was et up in Weymouth 35 years ago and is marking the milestone with a production at Weymouth Pavilion next month.

The company, which has members aged between 10 and 18, is busy rehearsing to stage The Wow Show at the Pavilion from Thursday April 20 to Saturday April 22 with a matinee on the Saturday.

The WOW Show features song and dance from a diverse range of musicals as well as popular music to suit all tastes. It includes newer musicals raved about on Broadway like Disney’s Newsies and Hamilton, which doesn’t open in London until November.

There is a Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang medley and a selection of numbers from Rent, which the older members have really enjoyed rehearsing.

A firm favourite is the Pajama Game, which leads into the finale of Act 1, a fast moving Rock ‘n’ Roll section.

Opening Act 2 is the very popular, hip-hop influenced, Broadway musical Hamilton. It draws on many musical styles and its remarkable use of the rhythm of rap to tell a dramatic tale is something new for WOW. The rest of the programme is taken from 70 years of musicals and includes items from shows such as Thoroughly Modern Millie,'Mack and Mabel, School of Rock, Half a Sixpence, Hair, The Sound of Music, Carousel and finally 42nd Street.

The WOW show is directed and choreographed by Martine Burt, who won a prestigious National Operatic And Dramatic Association award for outstanding choreography for the 2013 WOW Show.

Her 2015 compilation show also won the Best Youth Production in the whole of the south west area.

WOW President Janet Stockley said: “This is quite an achievement and gives us all something to rise to!”

Commenting on the 42nd Street finale, Janet Stockley also remarked how thrilled she was that former WOW member, Charlotte Steen, and Leah Harris from Weymouth were in the new production of this show, opening shortly in Drury Lane.

Musical director, Heather Reed, has been rehearsing the cast since November and will be leading the quintet of professional musicians that makes up the band.

*The WOW Show, Weymouth Pavilion, Thursday April 20 to Saturday April 22. Call the box office for tickets.