Teens show good quality on opening night

By Charmaine Walker

It’s that time again! The Richard Stoute Teen Talent show, one of the island’s premier forums for showcasing and developing local talent, commenced its 46th year at the Barbados Museum on Sunday night.

Though scaled down somewhat this year in terms of numbers of participants on given nights because of the prevailing presence of Covid-19, the contest was engaging, entertaining and exciting for contestants and patrons alike.

The show got going with guest performer Sherry Boyce and then to showcase their talent it was Over-21 contestants Zoe Armstrong and Kiara Hinkson in the first half, then Derrick Brathwaite, Shardinay Worrell and Natalie Hinkson in the second. Then it was on to the teens.

First before the judges was well-known Kymani Devonish who despite challenges with a cold, and a change of genre from his usual R&B offerings to reggae, still gave good performances of Jamaican Etana’s “People Talk” and “I’m Not Afraid”.

Next up was Stefan Huggins with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” which he delivered in fine fashion. In the second half he returned with “She Used To Be Mine” which completed a good night for him before the judges.

Beyonce Clarke followed and it was clear that nerves had the best of her in her first song, Shania Twain’s “When You Kiss Me”. However, she more than held her own in the second-half with a lovely rendition of “Falling”.

Then there was the highlight of the night with strong vocals and control coming from Shaneka George doing wonders with CeCE Winans’ “Alabaster Box” and “His Life For Mine”. George radiated confidence with every note sang, she nailed both performances with precision and emotion.

Dmitri Hoyte next graced the stage confidently with Michael Jackson’s “The World’s Greatest” and a Giveon number “Heartbreak Anniversary”. Crowd favourite  Skyy Dowridge sang “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman soundtrack and did so with excellent execution. The audience made it a bit difficult to hear at times with their frequent, exuberant eruptions.

She was even better on her next time on stage with Disney’s Frozen 2 original song performed by Idina Menzel’s voice of Elsa, “Into The Unknown”. Dowridge lit up the stage dressed like the character Elsa and made her presence felt with her dynamism.

Ending the night’s contest was Amirah Cordice who took fans back to the underground railroad doing a wonderful job with “Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo. This was well done and she must be commended for her effort and bravery in her rendition of the somewhat difficult song “Say Something in the second half.

The Richard Stoute Teen Talent show continues this Sunday at 7 p.m.