Autism’s Got Talent, the nation’s leading autism talent show part sponsored by Options Autism, the national provider of care and education to children, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties, is taking its amazing show out to new British audiences this summer with events in Cornwall, Devon and the Wirral.
Autism’s Got Talent (AGT) was founded by Anna Kennedy OBE, a well-respected autism campaigner and mother of two sons who have autistic spectrum conditions.
On 11th June the judging panel are meeting in Liverpool to make the final selection of acts for a live show at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton, the Wirral, on 23rd November 2018 and on July 14th the Autism’s Got Talent roadshow is appearing at the St Ives Theatre, Cornwall. It will feature such diverse new talents like The Autistic Monkeys, 14 year old Lewis Turner and Sam Geldard, aged 16, who are ukulele and drumming enthusiasts, and Lakhile Dlamini, aged 10, who lives in Bristol. With his outstanding ear for music, Lakhile can play a song after hearing it just once.
Charlotte Fieldson, 22, lives in Chelmsford Essex, non-verbal until she was 5 years old when she suddenly began singing to Sleeping Beauty, will be performing with Calvin Glen, 17, a youth ambassador for Dorset Mind Mental Health charity. Calvin, who has set up a monthly musical theatre and dining experience at a local bistro, also plays bass guitar for a death metal band and guitar for an 80s and 90s covers band.
Unlike Britain’s Got Talent, the show, which started in 2012, does not feature live auditions. Instead, each year, sensational singers, dancers, musicians and magicians, comedians and gymnasts who are on the autistic spectrum send in an audition video. The selection process is very successful and has spawned some glittering careers.
Autism With Attitude, the street dance group from Hillingdon Manor School, part of Options Autism, first appeared on Autism’s Got Talent five years ago and has had stellar success since then. In May 2018 they won second place in the final of the European United Dance Organisations (UDO) Championships in Germany.
The hugely talented ten year old singer Calum Courtney from Basildon was due to perform at the London Autism Got Talent show at the Mermaid Theatre in London on May 12th this year but had to withdraw after signing a contract with Britain’s Got Talent. On Sunday June 3 millions of viewers watched him perform ‘Good Feeling’ in the final.
‘Autism’s Got Talent is growing year by year,’ said Anna Kennedy. ‘We have had participants from Croatia, Canada and the USA and have also showcased world class gymnasts and artists who have appeared on the X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. People with autism of all ages are proving their worth in so many different arenas. They are making history, showing that autism need be no barrier to success.’