BUSTED ! A Brilliant Musical performed by hearing and deaf children ! A review by CI Music Scene Editor, Barbara Jones. I recently had the pleasure of attending a live performance of BUSTED, a musical with singing and signing, written by Andrew John Smith and performed by Thorn Grove Primary School, the Deaf Youth Orchestra and Hi-Notes Ensemble. With not a free seat in sight, the concert hall of the Royal Northern College of Music was buzzing with electricity as the singers and signers took to the stage wearing red, yellow and green t-shirts – symbolising traffic lights. Busted is about “The Busted Bus” which sets off on its travels with stops at various international destinations. Traffic lights, road traffic signs, a police and even a lollipop lady are just some of the imaginative props on stage – it becomes increasingly easy to imagine yourself on this voyage of discovery. BUS STOP LONDON “Theatres on the West End, London Eye and River Thames, Wembley, Museums and Harrods, And Buckingham Palace for HM…” Sung to the tune of Land and Hope and Glory – a true flavour of England’s capital and if you missed the clue, there were also original lyrics to “God Save the Queen!” With the signers and singers sat in “Buddha poses” and an evocative cello solo we have reached BUS STOP INDIA. I wonder where they’ll take us next. BRRRRRRRRRR! BRRRRRRRRR! Bang Bang, dum-de-dum, dum-de-dum… Whistles, strong percussion beat, get ready for the sounds and rhythms of Rio de Janeiro and BUS STOP Brazil – I wonder if it’s carnaval time? Suddenly the singers and signers collapse, prostate on the ground – what has happened? The Busted Bus is …Busted !!! A cacophony of drums signals the breakdown – I hope they get it going again ! Another Bus Stop – Germany this time followed by…. Encore after encore. The audience are on their feet, singing and signing along. Charismatic conductor, Paul Whittaker is now spending as much time conducting the audience as he is the children on stage. Thanks, speeches and a standing ovation and time for another chorus of “Busted”. “Climb aboard the Busted Bus…” - the music will remain with me, I am sure, for many months to come. My congratulations go to the children, musicians and conductors, Thom Meredith, Jeff Borradaile, Danny Lane, Paul Whittaker OBE and Jill Henderson-Wild as well as author Andrew John Smith. An outstanding performance by an inspirational cast – I am speechless !