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 | |
| Name | West End Kids |
| Year founded | 2001 |
| Founding artistic director | Martin Gwyn Williams |
| Website | westendkids |
| Artistic staff | |
| Music Director | Martin Gwyn Williams |
| Resident Choreographers | Emma Louise Williams |
History
editThe 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
edit- ^ "Hertfordshire performers in RAF fundraiser". Hertfordshire Mercury. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "Crawley singer and dancer, 14, ready to take the stage for the first time in London". www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "Billy Elliot takes centre stage at Wootton Upper School". www.bedfordtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "Morganprepares for a royal occasion". Basingstoke Gazette. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ a b "Southall girl hits the high note by singing at Queen's 90th Birthday celebrations". This Is Local London. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ a b Weaver, Mike; Hart, Colleen (2011). Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557837721.
- ^ a b "Teen to perform to tens of thousands". www.bostonstandard.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ a b c "Kettering schoolgirl wins place in West End performance troupe". www.northantstelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "West end girls perform at Westminster". www.lutontoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
- ^ "Daisy lends her voice in a million to promote fostering". Hertfordshire Mercury. 2009-11-05. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "Girls dance for Charles Dickens' birthday". www.dunstabletoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
- ^ a b "Poole teenager is going to sing for the Queen". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "Dovercourt dancing prodigy set to perform in front of tens of thousands of people". Gazette. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ Nightingale, Laura (2015-06-11). "Timings for events taking place in Guildford on Armed Forces Day". getsurrey. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
- ^ "The CLIC Sargent Christmas Celebration with Young Voices". Royal Albert Hall. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
- ^ "Your news: Stage star's House of Lords performance". www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
- ^ "Teenager living the dream". Haslemere Herald. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
- ^ Smith, Amy. "Lowestoft schoolgirl to perform with West End cast at summer festivals and events". Lowestoft Journal. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
- ^ "Toddington dancer entertains thousands with West End Kids at London Pride". www.dunstabletoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
- ^ "Dancing teenager tours country's music events". Harwich and Manningtree Standard. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
- ^ "Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar named in Glastonbury's Theatre and Circus line-up". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
- ^ "Worthing student performs in London for Queen's Platinum Jubilee beacon lighting ceremony". www.sussexexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-10.