West End Kids

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]

West End Kids
General information
NameWest End Kids
Year founded2001
Founding artistic directorMartin Gwyn Williams
Websitewestendkids.co.uk
Artistic staff
Music DirectorMartin Gwyn Williams
Resident ChoreographersEmma Louise Williams

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.[6]

The troupe has performed at Common People Festival,[7] Camp Bestival,[8] London 2012 'One Year To Go' ceremony,[9] Chelsea Flower Show,[8] o2 Arena,[10] Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Mansion House[11] and Windsor Castle.[8][12]

Most recently it has performed at the Queen's 90th birthday celebration at Windsor Castle,[5][13] National Armed Forces Day,[14] the Royal Albert Hall,[15] the House of Lords,[16] Hamleys Christmas Toy Parade,[17] CarFest South, Hampton Court Palace,[18] West End LIVE,[7][12] Pride In London,[19] British Summer Time Festival,[20] Glastonbury Festival,[21] and Queen's Platinum Jubilee.[22]

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