West End Kids Explained

West End Kids
Founded:2001
Founding Director:Martin Gwyn Williams
Choreographers:Emma Louise Williams
Music Director:Martin Gwyn Williams

West End Kids is a song and dance troupe founded in 2001 by artistic director Martin Gwyn Williams and based in Central London.[1] [2] [3] The troupe performs at festivals, charity events and state occasions, which included a performance at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 90th birthday of Elizabeth II.[4] The performers join the companies between ages 9 to 18 and can stay with the company until the age of 21.[5]

History

The musical director Martin Gwyn Williams founded the company in 2001. The song and dance troupe was among the first to be formed in the UK.[6] In 2004, the company was named West End Kids. Between 2001 and 2010, the ensemble has performed throughout the United Kingdom, which included a performance at Commonwealth State Banquet in front of Prime Minister David Cameron and five hundred dignitaries.

The troupe has performed at Common People Festival,[7] Camp Bestival,[8] London 2012 'One Year To Go' ceremony,[9] Chelsea Flower Show, o2 Arena,[10] Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Mansion House[11] and Windsor Castle.

Most recently it has performed at the Queen's 90th birthday celebration at Windsor Castle,[12] National Armed Forces Day,[13] the Royal Albert Hall,[14] the House of Lords,[15] Hamleys Christmas Toy Parade,[16] CarFest South, Hampton Court Palace,[17] West End LIVE,[18] Pride In London,[19] British Summer Time Festival,[20] Glastonbury Festival,[21] and Queen's Platinum Jubilee.[22]

Notes and References

  1. News: Hertfordshire performers in RAF fundraiser. 2013-07-19. Hertfordshire Mercury. 2017-03-20. en.
  2. Web site: Crawley singer and dancer, 14, ready to take the stage for the first time in London. www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. en. 2017-03-20.
  3. Web site: Billy Elliot takes centre stage at Wootton Upper School. www.bedfordtoday.co.uk. en. 2017-03-20.
  4. Web site: Morganprepares for a royal occasion. Basingstoke Gazette. en. 2017-03-20.
  5. Web site: Southall girl hits the high note by singing at Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations. This Is Local London. en. 2017-03-20.
  6. Book: Weaver, Mike. Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands. Hart. Colleen. 2011. Hal Leonard Corporation. 9781557837721. en.
  7. Web site: Teen to perform to tens of thousands. www.bostonstandard.co.uk. en. 2017-03-20.
  8. Web site: Kettering schoolgirl wins place in West End performance troupe. www.northantstelegraph.co.uk. en. 2017-03-20.
  9. Web site: West end girls perform at Westminster. www.lutontoday.co.uk. en. 2017-04-13.
  10. News: Daisy lends her voice in a million to promote fostering. 2009-11-05. Hertfordshire Mercury. 2017-03-20. en.
  11. Web site: Girls dance for Charles Dickens’ birthday. www.dunstabletoday.co.uk. en. 2017-04-02.
  12. Web site: Dovercourt dancing prodigy set to perform in front of tens of thousands of people. Gazette. en. 2017-03-20.
  13. News: Timings for events taking place in Guildford on Armed Forces Day. Nightingale. Laura. 2015-06-11. getsurrey. 2017-04-02.
  14. Web site: The CLIC Sargent Christmas Celebration with Young Voices. 7 December 2016. Royal Albert Hall. en-GB. 2017-04-02.
  15. Web site: Your news: Stage star’s House of Lords performance. 9 February 2017. www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. en. 2017-04-02.
  16. News: Teenager living the dream. Haslemere Herald. 2017-11-28. en.
  17. News: Lowestoft schoolgirl to perform with West End cast at summer festivals and events. Smith. Amy. Lowestoft Journal. 2017-11-28. en.
  18. Web site: Poole teenager is going to sing for the Queen. Bournemouth Echo. en. 2017-03-20.
  19. Web site: Toddington dancer entertains thousands with West End Kids at London Pride. www.dunstabletoday.co.uk. en. 2019-08-03.
  20. Web site: Dancing teenager tours country’s music events. Harwich and Manningtree Standard. en. 2019-08-03.
  21. Web site: Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar named in Glastonbury's Theatre and Circus line-up . 2022-07-10 . Somerset County Gazette . en.
  22. Web site: Worthing student performs in London for Queen's Platinum Jubilee beacon lighting ceremony . 2022-07-10 . www.sussexexpress.co.uk . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "West End Kids".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.