By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 14:23, Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Five aspiring ballet dancers will take to the stage in Newcastle this month in a performance of Swan Lake.

Front, Rowan Gallagher, back from left, Carisa Lloyd, Laura Croucher, Kate Fisher and Katy Mason

Laura Croucher, from Hallbankgate, Kate Fisher, from Warwick Bridge, Rowan Gallagher, from Hethersgill, Carisa Lloyd, from Heads Nook and Katy Mason, from Stainton, near Penrith, were chosen from 200 audition hopefuls in November.

The dancers aged 10 to 16 are midway through a gruelling 11-day training schedule ahead of their opening night on April 16 at the Mill Tyne Theatre.

Kate, 12, wants to become a professional ballet dancer in London and started training when she was just six.

She said: “The rehearsals are very exciting because we learn new things every day. I’ve made lots of new friends.”

The youngsters face a daily round trip of at least two hours to get to rehearsals with the English Youth Ballet. They will give three performances at the theatre.

They are experiencing the life of a professional ballet dancer, according to director Janet Lewis MBE.

She said: “The rehearsals for the Newcastle production are going very well. English Youth Ballet meet young dancers from across Britain and we find a very high standard of dancing and a pleasing energy and style in the North. We are looking forward to excellent performances.”

Professional principal dancers have joined English Youth Ballet from some of the world’s most renowned ballet companies for the production.

For tickets to see Swan Lake call 0844 4939999.

First published at 11:23, Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk