Ian ClarkeDereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre CompanyBack To The 80sTake a group of 40 or so talented and enthusiastic young performers.Add some of the best loved songs from the 1980s - from Footloose to Walking on Sunshine to Dancing On The Ceiling.Ian Clarke

Dereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre Company

Back To The 80s

Take a group of 40 or so talented and enthusiastic young performers.

Add some of the best loved songs from the 1980s - from Footloose to Walking on Sunshine to Dancing On The Ceiling.

Mix in a "Grease meets High School Musical" storyline with everything from a Star Wars scene to the prophecy of the CD.

Blend in a feel-good ending, high energy dancing and the variety of outfits which made 80s fashion so memorable.

And you have the recipe for a highly enjoyable production by Dereham Operatic Society's Youth Theatre Company.

Months of tireless hard work in rehearsals paid off as the cast treated the opening night audience to a performance which sent them home with smiles on their faces and singing the hits.

Those in the Memorial Hall who remember the decade were whisked back to memories of bubble skirts, blue eye liner, BMXs and big suits.

The others who were too young to know about the 80s got an insight in to what made the period so memorable (and not for all the right reasons!)

The show looks back at an American high school graduating class in the 1980s and the ups and downs, joys and heartaches and it is all seen through the eyes of Corey Senior, who is now 30 something.

The production marks the end of director Jeanie Woods' 12-year stint as DOSYTCo's chairman and she deserves massive credit for the commitment, passion and endless energy she has put in over that time.

The only downside from the opening night was seeing the Memorial Hall less than half full.

The talented youngsters should get more backing from the town - and I hope word gets around the area about how good the production is and the end of the week they play to packed audiences.

IAN CLARKE

*Back To The 80s continues at Dereham Memorial Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7.30pm. There is also a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.

Tickets cost �6.50-�8.50 (concessions available) and are available from Just Kitchenware in Dereham High Street (01362 699899).