Over 150 young dancers from Norfolk and Suffolk auditioned for the chance to join the acclaimed English Youth Ballet (EYB). 100 talented dancers were selected for the opportunity to train and perform alongside professional dancers in a lavish production of Sleeping Beauty at the Norwich Theatre Royal between 25 – 26 Jul.
The cast was selected through a large audition held on stage at Norwich High School for Girls in March. Over 150 young dancers attended for the exciting opportunity. They participated in a full ballet class on stage. The successful auditionees found out they had been selected on the day of the audition.
The young cast will rehearse for 60 hours over 10 days of weekend rehearsals. The rehearsals take place at a local high school. At rehearsals, the dancers experience the working life of a professional dancer. EYB take over three large rehearsal spaces in the school that are used simultaneously. Rehearsals always start with three company classes for the dancers to warm up. The dancers need to keep an eye on the complex rehearsal timetable throughout the day.
EYB Director – Miss Janet Lewis OBE said: “English Youth Ballet aims 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.”
Miss Lewis offered some special scholarship prizes at the audition. There were seven young finalists for the scholarships in the Junior audition and eight finalists for scholarships in the Senior audition. Fifty happy young dancers from each audition found out they had been selected.
Junior scholarship finalists included Isabelle Curtis-Milligan (10), Esme Jackman (10), Louis Marcham (12), Lyra Huggett (12), Anya Spencer (11), Lucy Lattimore (10) and Lyla Woods (9).
Senior scholarship finalists included: Leolie Lessware (17), Maisie Lloyd (16), Lilia Burgoyne (15), Fearne Robinson (15), Amelie Putt (15), Natalie Crites (13), Alyssa D’Arcy (16) and Laurent Larey-Bowdon (14).
Louis Marcham (12yrs), excited to train with professional dancers, said: I’m looking forward to learning new skills and being taught by so many experienced and exceptional dancers. Different teachers always bring new ideas and ways of learning, so I’m going to really enjoy the whole experience, I’m sure!”
Speaking about the opportunity, Alyssa D’Arcy (16yrs) said: “I think the best part about being able to train and dance with EYB professionals is having someone to look up to and someone to inspire us and help us to be the best performers possible. Dancing alongside professionals also gives us an idea of what dancing with a company would be like and gives us hope that we can one day dance professionally.”
English Youth Ballet (EYB) presents a sumptuous production of Sleeping Beauty that promises tradition alongside innovation. This spellbinding classic promises sparkling costumes, splendid scenery and excellent dancing. The ballet’s essence is good gloriously triumphant over evil.
There will be three performances of English Youth Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty at the Norwich Theatre Royal from Fri 25 – Sat 26 Jul. For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
