Bilston Youth Company win clutch of trophies at Dudley Music Festival
They may be young but they're bursting with talent – and they have the trophies to show for it.
Members of Bilston Youth Company walked away with an armful of first, second and third awards at the two-day Dudley Music Festival earlier this month
Two of their number have also been successful in other local contests. Thomas Withers, aged 15, won the Wolverhampton area round of the Rotary Club's Young Musician of the Year competition while Jacob Kohli, also 15, won two first places at the Berridge Awards for the most promising singer under 18. It all bodes well for the group, an offshoot of Bilston Operatic Company, as they prepare for their latest production, Les Miserables, at the Dormston Mill Theatre in Sedgley next month.
A revolving stage has been hired for the show's run, which Brenda Arnold, chairman of both companies, says has added 'fun and games' to the preparations.
The group's two star members will play leading parts in the production with Thomas playing Thenardier, Master of the House, and Jacob in the role of Inspector Javert.
It will be only the company's second show after they launched last spring with a production of Little Shop of Horrors.
The youth group, which now has around 40 members, was established to feed talent into the senior company, by contrast, was launched almost 90 years ago.
Some seats are left for the show which will run from April 19-23 at the Dormston Mill Theatre. For tickets, call Sarah Houghton on 07798 792248
