Three Nantwich girls have been selected to take part in the prestigious English Youth Ballet’s latest production.
Harriet Hughes, Lena Hassall, and Annabel Ratcliffe will feature in the 95-strong cast of EYB’s production of Coppélia.
The young cast were selected after hugely competitive auditions which featured scores of hopefuls from across the country.
They are currently experiencing the life of a professional dancer in rehearsals, and will perform alongside international professional dancers at the Regent Theatre in Hanley on Friday and Saturday March 20th and 21st.
Harriet, 17, a Malbank School student from Wybunbury, said: “I started dancing when I was two years old as I had always loved moving to music.
“Dancing makes me feel alive and gives me an escape from everyday life. I love the feeling of being on stage, becoming a character and making the audience feel something.
“I’m looking forward to developing my ballet skills further during this production. Working alongside the English Youth Ballet’s professional dancers inspires me to follow my dreams.”
Lena, from Edleston, and Annabel, from Aston, are both pupils at Sound and District Primary School.
The story of Coppélia follows the escapades of the dreamy Franz and how he comically falls in love
with a beautiful, life-like doll.
The doll – Coppélia – is created by the eccentric, yet mysterious inventor, Dr Coppelius. The hilarious plot thickens when Franz’s jealous lover, Swanhilda, takes her friends on an adventure into the spooky house of the mad inventor to confront her rival.
The 95 selected dancers are now undergoing an intensive rehearsal period, training for 60 hours across 10 rehearsal days.
Janet Lewis OBE, EYB Director, said: “English Youth Ballet’s aim is to provide performance experience to aspiring young dancers in beautiful venues close to where they live.
“The young dancers get to experience what life is like in a professional ballet company.
“They learn about developing their artistic and performance skills as well as improving their technique.
“I am always amazed at how quickly the young dancers progress and how positive they are when presented with new challenges.”
EYB Principal Ann Wall will also be starring as Swanhilda in the production.
She added: “Being part of EYB is an amazing experience for any young dancer. I feel privileged to be a principal dancer with the company.
“I enjoy teaching and coaching all the young dancers and I see some of the most talented young dancers in the country.
“I feel honoured to be a role model to the dancers and help give them an insight into the world of professional ballet.
“Dancing with EYB is an experience that will stay with the young dancers forever.”
(Featured image by Ben Garner)
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