Showcasing impressive dance tricks, angelic voices and intense acting skills, amazing talents kicked off the annual PnA Ultimate Performer with a bang this weekend.
“It’s really off to a good start this year and the standard is very high.
“We’re looking for quality and the ability to captivate an audience and there have definitely been some excellent performances so far,” event organiser and judge Nerina Le Roux said.
As crowds gathered around the Ultimate Performer stage and cheered for their favourite acts, the judges had their hands full, picking out top talents that would go through to the final round at the Guild Theatre on March 10.
Seeing just more than 300 entrants, the judges were treated to costumed dances, break dancing stunts, guitar playing singers and a range of triple threats.
“We have had so many more entries this year,” Le Roux said at the event on Saturday. “It makes our days very long, but it’s been a lot of fun. I love it.”
From singing and dancing to modelling and acting, the event provides a platform for various talents and the return of the category for disabled persons, introduced last year, ensures everyone is given a chance in the spotlight.
“This year we’ve got the reigning Miss Eastern Cape who has entered as a model, the Cyfadance group from Mdantsane has a huge presence and we have a young girl with Down syndrome who will be dancing,” Le Roux said.
2019 marks the ninth annual Ultimate Performer, with East London based company Performance Platform, initiating the competition.
This is the fourth Ultimate Performer with PnA as the main sponsors, and owners Darryl and Gussie Eberhardt are excited to be part of another year of thrilling performances.
“We became involved because there is so much talent in East London that is never exposed, ” Gussie said.
Dancer Kristen Stockenstrom said: “It’s competitive but it’s a lot of fun and no one judges you if you make a mistake”.
Armed with a clown costume, eerie music and some killer contemporary dance moves, Kristen, 15, impressed judges with a Pennywise inspired routine at Saturday’s preliminary round.
She received the second golden buzzer of the year, sending her straight to the final round.
This year PnA has sponsored over R50 000 in cash prizes...