Captivating choreography, sublime singing and amazing acting. The dedication of the Leaf Studio School performers has all built up to this moment, their end of year show. And with the show titled "On The Floor" you can instantly tell that the stage is going to light up with some incredible performances by determined, talented students. 

Year after year, the Leaf team create shows that amaze and astound audiences. With each show pushing themselves year on year, you know that the talent on stage is second to none. Covering all of their school years from 9-13, each group collaborates with each other and showcases scenes that they have been working on for months both in and outside of lessons, alongside their normal educational pathways. 

Opening the show with a bang was the title number. The high energy from the J-Lo and Pitbull song set both the pace and energy for what was to come with the rest of the show and showcased some of the best from the Leaf Sixth Form students. 

Act 1 takes us on a musical journey exploring villains across tales such as Oliver, Les Mis, The Little Mermaid, Matilda, and Beauty and the Beast. With highlights including Sam Duddington as Fagin working alongside the Year 9 team, to Tom Carr taking on the intimidating Miss Trunchbull with the Year 10 team, it's clear to see that hard work taking place behind the scenes to make such brilliant pieces. I also loved Brandon Manston and Corbin White's take on Gaston and Le Fou, their comedic timing really showed a side of these characters that was both playful and entertaining. 

From villains to show business, you are then whisked away to big numbered songs such as a Dream Girls medley, and a brilliantly choreographed and tap dancing Singing in the Rain piece (which I found out was actually choreographed by both teacher Billie Aplin and sixth former Coverley Walker). Allowing students to showcase choreography skills as well as performance skills is a testament to the trust that the staff have in the talents of their students. 

Act 1 ends with a poignant tribute to the musical Dear Evan Hansen. Focused around social media, being a teenager, and mental health, this show felt like a fitting one for the school to close the act with. Thomas Sutton took to the stage as Evan, and his characterisation was incredibly fitting and true to the book. Alongside Lacey Notley, Lilia Catford, and Tom Carr as Zoe, her mum, and dad, these principal members truly did the show justice. The cast blended singing with sign language and fun lighting techniques to create something that was moving, powerful, and quite emotional by the time the curtain went down. 

Act 2 showcased the brilliant talents of the sixth form team. With a section dedicated to the musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, where Tyler Vandevelde took to the role as if it was made for him. You could clearly see that the students loved every moment of creating a fantastic work of art on stage. The sixth form students also showcased a brilliant dance section where I can honestly say I was exhausted watching them from the audience. I have to give a nod to the team behind the mashup "5,6,7, Pop" who's soundtrack was the music of my childhood (and I was definitely dancing in my seat!). 

Sandwiched between these sixth form sections was tributes to musical movies. From Saturday Night Fever, to the Sound of Music, no show was left alone in this whistle stop tour. Closing the show was the incredible Sister Act. One musical that I love dearly, it was so much fun to see the whole company take on this show and do so with such huge smiles on their faces. With features from students across all year groups and fronted by Lilly-Mae Legg as Delores, this show stopper truly raised the room and you could feel the energy radiating from the stage. 

It's easy to see that teaching staff capture the talent of each student on stage and ensure that they are achieving their full potential. They may only be at the start of their professional journeys, but with such talent on stage, it's not hard to picture many of them on a professional West End stage in the near future. A huge pat on the back needs to go to the creative team that have pulled off a spectacular show that has somehow impressed me more than the magic of last years. 

If you want a show that allows you to see brilliantly talented individuals at the start of their theatrical journeys, this is one to watch. It's clear to see that every student loved every moment of performing this show as audience members could hear the cast celebrating as soon as the curtain came down. Keep up the good work Leaf Studio, you have some true stars on your hands.