Singer is a star again (From Barry And District News)

Singer is a star again

A POPULAR Barry amateur dramatics society opened the floor for their members to impress a select audience in a Stars in their Eyes-style show.

Billboard hosted their second annual contest in the Masonic Hall on Saturday night.

While the programme was just for fun for the members of a group, there was an element of competition.

Each act aimed to take home the Barry and District News Winner's Cup that night.

There were 15 superb impressions, from Will Young and Alanna Miles to Eva Cassidy and Elvis Presley.

The four judges, Anne and David West from Sew Simple on Holton Road and Jenny Wyatt and Jessica Hinton from the Barry and District News had a hard task deliberating between the talent on offer.

They were ably helped by the Master of Ceremonies for the night, Kevin Mullane, whose jokes between the acts left the audience dumbfounded.

Kevin interviewed each performer for clues about who they were going to be that evening.

Some were obvious and very modern, while others left the audience guessing who they would be.

Then with marks given for 'Looks Alike' and 'Sounds Alike', and after over two hours of solid entertainment, it was time to total the points and decide on an overall winner.

The standards were high but two singers just stood out from the crowd.

After her sterling impression of Tina Turner in the first half and then Elvis in the second, it was no wonder that Maria Barnfield took home the runner up cup, presented by Anne West for her version of Simply the Best.

But for the effort put into simulating Bonnie Tyler's harsh throaty sound, and for the excellent take-off of the Swansea star's hair and characteristic movement, Victoria Jones lifted the Barry and District News Winner's Cup for a second year running.