Brookes stages talent festival

Students from Oxford Brookes University have organised the 'Brookes Got Talent Festival' culminating with a live finale tomorrow night.

The event is open to the public, with all the contestants being either staff or students at the university.

It will be held at Brookes' student union, at the Headington Hill campus.

Organiser Jules Francis said the event was designed to showcase the talent of the university and bring together its various performing arts groups.

Miss Francis, a third year music and arts management student, said: "There are lots of different groups at the university and there are a lot of talented people here.

"It's been great fun organising the event and seeing what is out there.

"It's not just for singers and dancers. We've got rappers, a couple of guys doing stand-up comedy.

"There is a real mix. We just want people to come along, have some fun and be inspired by the local talent we have at Brookes."

Miss Francis said the first round of auditions took place on Monday, when potential contestants had to perform in front of judges.

She added: "I was one of the judges. You had to remain as impartial as possible to make it fair for everyone — I was more akin to Sharon Osborne than Simon Cowell! I will be joined on the night be Xander Hough, who manages productions in the West End, Amy-Cooke Hodgson, John Hole and Dai Griffiths, who are performance lecturers at the university, and Rob Broderick,the comedian."

Tonight's finale will mark the culmination of a week of activities at the student union.

Throughout the week there have been various displays and workshops, including ones on circus skills, drama and stage-combat.

Miss Francis said she might also take to the stage.

She said: "I performed as a backing singer at Truck Festival over the summer and I sing with the Oxford Gospel Choir. I will see if I can talk a few other members to come down on the night and join me on the stage."