Young Jason’s got the ‘E Factor’

Jason Abernethy winner of the E Factor Talent Competition organised jointly by E2A Theatre and the Doghouse Sanctuary, received his £500:00 first prize from Stewart Penn (E2A) and Gillian McFadden (Doghouse Sanctuary) © Edward Byrne Photography INBL39-210EB

Amongst the acts performing were a variety of singers, musicians, poetry and a sister and brother comedy double act entertained the enthusiastic audience.

The show opened with Glynn Jones performing If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks. That was followed by 12-year-old Jessica Davison singing Someone Like You by Adele, and local country singer, John McCourt with 14 Carat Mind.

Next came Christine Williamson singing the James Bond theme from Skyfall and also her sister, Sarah, who recited a poem.

Jason Abernethy, aged 13 from Banbridge, opened the second half of the show with an amazing guitar solo, including ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’, ‘Let There Be Rock’ and ‘Back in Black’ by AC/DC, and he finished off with ‘Panama’ by Van  Halen.

Another family act, Seren and Llwyd Jones, produced a comical double act, Miss Opera and Signor Go Compare in a hilarious rendition of the Carpenters.

Kayleigh Hamilton sang and played guitar with a self penned number.

Matt McCreary performed some amazing acrobatics in a daring ‘do not try this at home’ routine following a dramatic entrance from the first floor balcony. A series of parkour, street dance and acrobatic moves had the audience on their feet.

The final act of the evening was Edele Scott-Murphy from close to Warrenpoint who sang accompanied by her brother Niall, on the guitar.

Following a 30 minute break for the audience to complete their voting, Jason Abernethy was declared the winner and received the prize of £500 from Stewart Penn of E2A Inclusive Theatre Group and Gillian McFadden of the Doghouse Sanctuary.

A total of £1200 was raised for the two local charities and its hoped to repeat the event early in 2014 with an even bigger prize.