** Apologies for the delay with this review. Personal issues have put me behind ** 

We light it up, we won’t come down, 
and the sun can’t stop us now. 
Watching it come true, it’s takin’ over you. 
Oh, this is the greatest show.

Never more truer words than those of Pasek and Paul from The Greatest Show which were also used in Starcross Youth Theatre’s opening number of 30 Years of Youth Theatre.

It is some achievement to still be performing stunning shows after the humble beginnings when Co-Founders, Phil and Belinda Cross agreed along with Mike Klymko to put on one show (Grease) in 1993 for the pupils of Manor School, Hadley, before it closed that year. However, that show led to another and 30 years later, here we are.

Interspersed between numbers was the history and celebration delivered by Phil Cross, recognising (including video clips) all those who have been part of the Starcross story. And the night not only included current youth members, but the recently formed juniors and returning students, many of whom have benefitted from the magnificent experience of youth theatre.

Numbers on the night represented past shows and continued with My Child and Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers, Where is Love? (Oliver) Secret Love from Calamity Jane (sung by April Kruszynski) before The Deadwood Stage from the same musical. Excellent voices and fabulous dance. The family future of Starcross was then shown to be in safe hands with a lovely rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Christine and Lily Cross.

The juniors took to the stage twice for a medley of songs from Oliver before returning with Bad Guys (Bugsy Malone). The main thing about taking part in youth is to enjoy yourself and there was one lad with glasses on the front line of juniors who looked to be having the time of his life. Brilliant.

Prior to the break, we had the main title song of Bugsy Malone before the awesome Simon Zealots from Jesus Christ Superstar. Rounding off Act One were numbers from Peter Pan, Mamma Mia, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Act Two began with a segment devoted to the non-musical plays which Starcross have ventured into successfully in recent years. Then there was recognition for another recent development, the nationally recognised LAMDA qualifications, on the night displayed by a wonderful rendition of Burn (Hamilton) by Faith Whitehouse. A superb performance indeed. Up there with the professionals.

Songs from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, Footloose and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie preceded the returning alumni who after only one rehearsal delivered a magnificent Come So Far (Got So Far to Go) from Hairspray. Then, the most emotional part of the night, and an anthem for Starcross, was the inclusion of the full company singing Starmaker (Kids from Fame), Now, I never watched the TV show at the time, but obviously followed the charts as a teenager back then and even I had a tear or two. It just seemed to sum up and embrace all that is good about youth theatre.

Before we finished, Phil and Belinda Cross teamed up for (You’re) Timeless to Me and led the company in Master of the House. Ending the night on a real high, though, the cast gave us You Can’t Stop the Beat before a medley of songs from their most recent production from February this year (and reviewed by me here) — Grease. A rousing and wonderful way to round off a fantastic night. Here’s to the next 30 years.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

**Photos of previous shows, blatantly taken from the internet**