Ballerinas land dream parts in English Youth Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty

February 26, 2016

Two beautiful ballerinas have been picked to join the cast of a fairy-tale production by the English Youth Ballet.

Izzy, a pupil at Inglefield House and Erin, a boarder at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, will be performing in Sleeping Beauty at Cardiff’s New Theatre.

The graceful duo’s success follows a huge amount of hard work and dedication to perfect their pirouettes and pliés.

ballerinas5For Izzy, 10, it will be the second time performing with the prestigious organisation, having previously danced in their production of The Nutcracker.

She said: “We went to the audition with about 80 other girls in our age category and about 40 were picked.

“I love the story of Sleeping Beauty and it will be nice to tell it through dance.

“I was very relieved when I found out Erin and I were both chosen.”

Founded in 1998, the EYB presents full-length classical ballets in regional theatres across England, Scotland and Wales, giving dancers aged eight to 18 the chance to perform within a professional setting.

Each year the professional principal dancers are joined by 100 youngsters to present eight productions throughout the UK.

Izzy and Erin didn’t realise they were both trying out for the show until they spotted each other at the auditions.

Erin, 12, said: “It felt much better to see someone I knew at the audition.

“It was hard because there were so many people there and some girls our age had a lot more experience. ballerinas4

“It was really exciting and it was such a nice surprise to be picked.

“I’m looking forward to the experience and making new friends.”

The girls love dancing, and devote a great deal of time to improving their techniques.

“I like that as you go on, ballet becomes more challenging,” Erin added.

“You’ll be at the same thing for hours and hours and all of a sudden you crack it and you feel better.”

The pair will be practising every week with the Sleeping Beauty cast in the months to come.

Performances will take place on August 12 and August 13.

For more information on the English Youth Ballet, visit englishyouthballet.co.uk