A SPECTACULAR 21st birthday party saw West End stars and students share the stage to celebrate the Big Little Theatre School’s coming of age.

A glittering event at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre saw the audience treated to a fabulous night of the very best in musical theatre.

Excerpts from some of the best-loved musicals of all time were given a new twist as many of the capital’s seasoned performers collaborated with the stage stars of the future.

The undoubted star of the show was Natasha J Barnes, who shot to fame in Funny Girl in London.

If her rendition of Don’t Rain On My Parade didn’t inspire the young people alongside her, then nothing will.

Natasha was one of many former pupils of the Bournemouth-based theatre school who were in town to celebrate the milestone.

Many are current West End performers but jumped at the chance to hop on a train and support the Sunday night show.

Several of the performers are students in top London theatre schools and there were messages from others, currently performing all over the world, who were unable to make it.

At points there were more than 200 people on the stage, belting out favourites including Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead and One Voice.

Other musicals represented included Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Jersey Boys, Miss Saigon, Fame and West Side Story.

The show was put together in less than two days but, if the audience hadn’t been told that, they would never have known.

Choreography was stunning, particularly Sing, Sing, Sing, and the show ended in a burst of gold ticker tape.

Big Little was established by Michelle Guy and Colin Billing, whose enthusiasm and dedication appears to be stronger than ever.

Happy Birthday Big Little and bring on the next 21 years.