THE societal opinion of the youth today is yet to shift in favour to our thinking. 2014 has seen us branded as incompetent sex addicts with little to no understanding as to how the ‘real world works’.

The beam of positive light has appeared to miss the youth repeatedly over the years, despite the wondrous dedication we throw into our lives and hobbies.

An excellent local ambassador for committed young people is of course, the incredible devotion of WOW, the local Youth Musical Theatre Company.

I can safely say as both a member of the audience as well as the cast, the shows will leave make you hang on the edge of your seat.

WOW’s most recent show, Grease, left me feeling exhausted just watching the intense enthusiasm and unbelievable talent being splattered majestically across the Weymouth Pavilion stage. Not one member of the cast nodded off in crowd scenes or went in for a cheeky finger-to-nasal search whilst standing on the forefront of the stage.

The characters were developed down to a ‘T’, the choreography rehearsed in unison for days and weeks on end and of course the backstage crew had ensured that every last 1950s polka dot looked the sight of perfection.

Don’t get me wrong, the commitment and efforts of all the adults involved with the making of the show must be admired but I feel that the average audience member may not quite appreciate just how much time, effort and commitment that these wonderful 10-18 year olds throw into these shows.

As well as coping with the negative attention from the media, school and peer pressure, these kids still manage to jump on stage and elevate you from reality for two hours.

Three hour rehearsals, three times a week, is what creates these marvellous shows and I honestly believe that WOW is an absolute credit to the local community as well as the youth population.

Well done everyone.

CHARLOTTE CRANNY-EVANS, aged 18