Britain’s Got Talent opportunity for 76 Ivybridge students

Performance expected to be biggest ever seen by show's producers

The Britain’s Got Talent auditions kick off in Cardiff on Sunday 20 October, and – thanks to their dazzling display at the opening of the UK School Games – 76 performers from Ivybridge Community College have been put straight through to perform in front of the show’s producers.

With such a huge cast, the performance is expected to be the show’s biggest ever showcase of talent.

“This is such a huge occasion for all the students involved,” said the college’s Head of Performing Arts Helen Reddy, “and it’s something they will never forget. Immediately after we had performed at the UK School Games in Sheffield, I was contacted and encouraged to enter an audition tape, then just a few days later we received the confirmation email to say we were straight through auditions with the producers.”

Their first audition routine sees acrobatic gymnasts, dancers and singers come together to perform a spectacular five-minute showpiece to the Queen song Don’t Stop Me Now. The 76 performers fill the stage, keeping audience members fascinated with dynamic somersaults taking place at area side of the stage, while balances, tumbling, choreography and singing take place in others.

The performance follows on from Ivybridge Community College’s other showpieces in recent years, which included opening the national head teachers conference at the Birmingham NIA to more than 2,000 principals from across the UK.

“I’ve taken students to big events before, but nothing as huge as this,” added Helen. “I have no expectations about whether we will progress through to the next stage, but I will be telling them all to go out there, perform their best, and enjoy the whole experience. The piece showcases the very best of what Ivybridge performing arts students are capable of, and if we do get through, the hard work will then start all over again as we’ll have to create another audition piece for the live shows!”

The show’s creator and judge Simon Cowell said: "This year I want even bigger and better than before. We want the sensational, the original and of course the best. I want something that I’ve never seen before."

The students practiced hard over the weekend and will be continuing their practice after school during the week to perfect the performance.