THIRTEEN talented acts have been chosen to fill the front-of-curtain slots at this year’s Bridgwater Carnival Concerts, following a hard-fought audition process.

A total of 25 acts, including vocalists, dancers and comedians went before 51 judges at Bridgwater town hall this week, with each putting on a five-minute performance.

The following 13 acts will now perform during the concerts, which will be held at the town hall from October 3-15: Ashley Quinn (vocalist), Callum Cook (comedian), Charlotte McGlynn (dance), Chloe Jenkins (vocalist), Fox King Dance Academy (seniors dance group), Ian Howard (vocalist), Jessica Gardener (vocalist), Kala Hale (vocalist), Molly Bird and Kirby Warren (vocal duo), Nathan Ball (vocalist), Phoebe Fisher and Emma Ingram (vocal duo), Ruby Hamilton and Steph McLaren (vocal duo), Viva La Diva (dance group).

Rita Jones, concert coordinator for Bridgwater Carnival Committee, thanked all those who auditioned and described the standard of acts as “extremely high”.

She added: “The judges had a very difficult task in choosing which 13 should go forward to the big event later this year.

“For those acts who didn’t make it through this time, we would love to see them back auditioning for next year’s event.”

Roger Smith, manager of Angel Place Shopping Centre, and his wife, Mandy, helped judge the auditions. He said: “We were both extremely impressed with the standard of the acts, and it is so rewarding to see that we have so much talent in Bridgwater and the surrounding area.”

Tickets for the concerts go on sale in May.