Young dancers earn place in professional ballet show

Annabel Foster, nine, from Greylees, and Elizabeth Hindmarch, 11, from Sudbrook, will take to the stage of Nottingham’s Theatre Royal next month as part of the English Youth Ballet’s (EYB’s) production of Giselle.

The EYB presents full-length classical ballets in regional theatres featuring 100 local young dancers and a group of its own professional principal dancers.

Annabel and Elizabeth, who both attend Rauceby CofE Primary School and The Dance Academy, were selected for the show following auditions in April attended by almost 300 hopefuls.

Amy Drew, one of EYB’s principal dancers, is currently coaching the youngsters. She said: “The young dancers are treated like professional dancers during rehearsals – we work them hard but the results are fantastic.

“They learn what the life of a professional dancer is like. They are living their dream and they just love it.”

Of working with EYB, Elizabeth said: “It is an amazing experience working alongside professional ballet dancers and other girls and boys like me who enjoy dancing.”

Annabel said: “I’m looking forward to dancing in the theatre.

“I have never done this before, so it’s really exciting.”

Performances take place on July 22 and 23.

To book, call 0115 989 5555 or visit www.trch.co.uk