BE Our Guest, Jailhouse Rock, Oklahoma, Footloose, Cabaret – the show hits just kept on coming as a cast of 150 talented youngsters took to the stage of Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre for Broadway Showtunes.

The annual production by the town's BIGLITTLE Theatre School is always a belter, and the 2023 performance was no exception.

As I always am when I see BIGLITTLE perform, I was blown away by the professionalism, energy and raw talent on display. Usually in a show, there are one or two stand-out performers or musical numbers, but I just couldn't pick a favourite.

From the littlest Footlight performers to the senior Professional Development Programme students, every single one brought the same passion, fire and sheer enjoyment to the stage – making for a joyful, uplifting evening of entertainment.

A brilliant mix of excerpts from the classic shows such as My Fair Lady, Oklahoma and Wicked, to snippets from lesser known productions like My Favourite Year, Seussical and Parade, finishing with a high energy Time Warp – there's something here for everyone.

If I was pushed to pick highlights, it would be the Defying Gravity – how is it even possible for Megan Shaw, still a teenager, to completely own that huge, iconic number in the way that she did? Just wow! Special mention also to Rewrite the Stars – nothing says professionalism more than making your voice heard in a packed auditorium when your mic fails and not skipping a beat when a member of the tech crew walks across stage and gives you a hand-held mic instead. Bravo Jack Kiteley.

I was also captivated by the performances of Millie Nicholson and Sam Trotman, the two leads in the emotionally charged Parade – these two have something special.

Clever staging throughout – it's no mean feat giving 150 people the space to dance on stage – and inspired choreography, particularly the Fosse numbers, which are so intricate and difficult to recreate successfully.

Musical theatre fan or not, don't miss this chance to see the stars of tomorrow at your local theatre.