AFTER many months of rehearsals the pint sized actors, dancers and singers from Hatch Warren Infant School performed their variety show to a sell-out audience in The Haymarket.

The evening started with a confident display of acting by seven year-old Thomas Davies who assisted the compere in introducing the first act which featured the school’s dance group and their powerful performance about childhood poverty.

During the evening we listened to the choir and recorder group and watched the drama and dance clubs. Many of the singers performed solos and the drama club members did well remembering their lines in front of the 400 people in the audience.

The latter particularly seemed to enjoy the ‘Doctor, doctor’ jokes in a hospital sketch.

The first half of the show ended with the choir singing Believe with outstanding solos from Hannah Miles, Petal Kisob and Krystal Kisob. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

And who can forget the grinning cameraman Harry Goddard as he filmed the Strictly Come Dancing take off which involved the choir, talented dancing and some incredible acting from the judges.

Craig, Len, Darcy and Bruno came to life in front of our eyes - they had everyone in stitches!

Jake McCormick, a rising magician and juggler from Basingstoke, was this year’s guest act, following his recent Basingstoke Live performances. He had the audience spellbound!

The evening was very polished and enjoyed by the audience particularly as it was performed by such a young group, aged just five to seven years.

The highlight of the show came in the second half in the form of 25 skeletons! In this act the skeletons literally came alive with a little help from UV lighting to the delight and gasps of the audience.

This stunning display of teamwork was put together by Emma Hicks, a teacher at the school.

A big thank you has to go to Helen Woods, Louise Weston, Emma Hicks and Sam Furley for putting together a fantastic show – some truly talented individuals.

Staff supported the production by chaperoning the children off stage and being part of the back stage crew and their support was very much appreciated.

We also need to thank Dave Woods - he played a big part as part of the backstage crew and in building the scenery and making props.

We are also grateful to technical director and sound engineer Mike Woods (a former pupil) and his assistant Connor Adam who filmed the show to make a DVD for the proud parents.

David Woods