There are few occasions where you feel you are attending a production that is special, but that was certainly the feeling this weekend at the Dolman Theatre as the newly formed CentreStage Cymru delivered their debut production.

Celebrating the very best from musicals, the ensemble cast featured the cream of many productions staged at the Dolman in recent years and the Sharon Fitzgerald Youth Musical Theatre Class delivered two sell-out shows.

They were presented in the intimate setting of the theatre foyer, and the ensemble cast utilised every available space with poise, posture and projection. This was evident with the ensemble cast’s interpretation of Life Outside Your Apartment, from Avenue Q, to the Youth Musical Theatre’s powerful signature piece, Proud Mary.

Wesley Maddocks’ solo Come Fly with Me was itself worthy of a young Frank Sinatra, while Elissa Taylor gave a fabulous delivery of the comic piece In Short. Becky Barnbrook and Jordan Archer also delivered mesmerising solo performances, as well as dueting on Who Wants to Live Forever.

The show rounded off with a Grease finale showcasing the vocal talents of Becky Hartland and Emma Hazelhurst, while the cast reassembled for a rousing rendition of Start of Something New from High School Musical.

Based on the cast, producers and technical crew’s hard work there is much to look forward to from Centrestage Cymru. Be sure to catch their presentation of Godspell at The Dolman in October; like this weekend’s performances it’s sure to be a sell-out.