Marton's best light up Players Theatre

There was standing room only at the Marton's Got Talent show held in the Marton Players Theatre last Saturday.

Project Marton co-ordinator Cath Ash said organisers had been worried at the lack of contestants but "everyone must have been having a think about entering and suddenly decided to come in because we ended up having 28 entries".

"If the show is as popular next year and we get even more contestants, we'll have to have two sessions; one in the morning and one in the afternoon."

Nearly 300 people crowded in to watch the show, which judges, Peter Calkin, Richard Aslett and Toroa Pohatu, adjudicated. The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Development, which offered cash prizes, and Te Kotuku Hauora, which provided the winner's trophy. Project Marton and Marton Youth Club organised the show.

The winner was Tori Tuau, a singer and guitar player from Rangitikei College, with Brianna Allan from Nga Tawa Diocesan School coming in second.

Third was Ruaumoko, a Maori dance group from Turakina Maori Girls' College, and fourth were Sons of Samoa, a comedy-dance troupe. Marton Primary School won the $200 music voucher for entering the most acts, with seven, including 24 ukulele students.