MORE than 50 young people belted out another hit from a popular West End musical, and we were all entranced.
The sheer energy was tangible and it carried us along on wave after wave of euphoria and amazement.
For these youngsters were not hardened professionals, they were amateurs, aged between 10 and 18.
I am talking about WOW Youth Musical Theatre, whose members put on a dazzling display of song and dance last week at the Pavilion.
I attended the first of three performances when months of hard work were unleashed on an unsuspecting audience.
Yes, these youngsters were nervous, but they didn’t show it.
They started as they meant to continue, bursting with youthful exuberance and passion.
For more than two hours we were royally entertained and musical director Martine Burt deserves a medal, as do all those behind the scenes.
None of this happened by accident.
Hard work and success never does.
The theatre was the brainchild of Weymouth Operatic Society, which invited Janet Stockley and Pauline Wootton to establish it 30 years ago.
Back then, 22 youngsters responded to an advert in the local paper.
There were no auditions in those days.
Now, the competition is fierce, with between 50 to 100 applicants competing for 10 places each year.
Behind the scenes, this dynamic, cultural success story is sustained thanks to an army of committee members, volunteers and parents.
However, the night itself belonged to the youngsters.
All were talented, some seriously so, and for them maybe the West End and silver screen beckons.
Meeting the cast backstage after the performance, I was struck by their confidence.
That point was reinforced for me when I met two former WOW members.
One was going to university to study law, while the other aimed at midwifery.
Much of their self belief is attributable to their years with WOW.
How proud Janet and Pauline must be.
WOW’s next performance is Oliver the Musical in November.
Whatever you do, don’t miss it.