Kimbolton’s Got Talent lights up stage

A community group is scouring Manawatu¯ for hidden or underappreciated talent to light up the stage.

The Kimbolton Community Committee is offering more than $1500 prize money, including a top prize of $700, for the best performers at its Kimbolton’s Got Talent fundraiser.

Organiser Tony Waugh said the group was holding auditions for talented people from Manawatu¯ , Horowhenua and Rangitı¯kei keen to take a shot at being crowned the region’s best performer.

They could be a singer or a band, a comedian or even an acrobatic act – anyone who can bring magic to the stage of the Kimbolton Hall this November.

Waugh said the committee was brainstorming ideas for a fundraiser to help maintain the Kimbolton Hall, when his fellow organiser Emma Jensen suggested a local take on the popular reality show

Got Talent.

‘‘We’ve only just started organising it, but there’s already some pretty enthusiastic support.’’

Waugh said a panel of three well-known identities would form the judging panel, with Manawatu¯ mayor Helen Worboys and Feilding Little Theatre’s Joan Ford already on board.

The third judge had to pull out and the committee was looking for a replacement.

‘‘So we’ll have a mystery judge.

‘‘No, it’s not Simon Cowell, we couldn’t get him.’’ Britain’s

Waugh said organisers were hoping to get a mix of individual and group performers from people who’ve never been in front of an audience before to seasoned professional acts.

Each potential performer needs to send in a two-minute video with an outline and demonstration of their act and a second two-minute video explaining a little about themselves by October 27.

Anyone interested can find additional information and audition forms online through the Kimbolton’s Got Talent Facebook page or website.