Over a hundred young people from Merseyside took to the Liverpool Auditorium stage last month in an all singing, all dancing showcase of exceptional, home-grown talent.

After years of planning and months of rehearsals, Merseyside Youth Association’s (MYA) Noise and Space opened with a stunning dance rendition of a scene from the Lion King.

Throughout the evening the audience were entertained with a talent-packed programme of music, dance and performing arts, including signer-song writer, Daisy Gill who received a standing ovation.

Funded by Hat Trick Productions and supported by Aviva and Mason Owen Financial Services Ltd; the show combined the work of two of MYA’s long-standing youth projects; Noise, which supports young people to develop personally and socially through music, and; Space, that uses performing and creative arts as a tool for youth work.

Speaking about the evening, Noise project leader, Phil Kearns said:

“The energy throughout the auditorium was tremendous. This was the biggest date so far in these young peoples’ lives, they certainly delivered an amazing show. I’m immensely proud of them all and it was fantastic to see an almost full-house.”

Tracey Threlfall, Head of Trading at Aviva commented:

“Following their success as an Aviva Broker Community Fund winner back in 2013, we’ve been delighted to continue supporting MYA, this time as a local funding partner for this worthy event.”

The evening was brought to a fitting close with a show stopping set by band, The Haze, as the entire cast took to the stage for the grand finale.

MYA chair, Andrew Gibbons of Mason Owen Financial Services Ltd. said:

“This inaugural event is an important step for MYA and the projects’ members. Noise and Space is about encouraging young people to discover themselves using music and performing arts. We certainly achieved that last night.”

Jimmy Mulville of Hat Trick Productions, MYA patron added:

“Noise and Space resonates strongly for us as we believe that access to performing has a profound impact on young people’s personal development, I’m proud to support this worth cause and look forward to the next one – maybe we’ll make this an annual event on MYA’s calendar.”

Images from Sally Anscombe Photography