Sisters pick up prestigious roles

Lottie (12) and Hannah (16) will be dancing with the professional ballet company.

Company manager Ben Garner said: “The talented young dancers were selected at an audition in 2011 from over 200 young hopefuls. They will appear in the premiere of an electrifying adaptation of Swan Lake at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, for three performances from March 23-24. The young dancers in the cast will dance alongside EYB’s stunning international principal artists in a professional production.

“The young ballet stars are currently experiencing the life of a professional ballet dancer - working at Cleeve Park School, Bexley, in a 13-day intensive rehearsal process.”

Ben added: “These young dancers have the chance of a lifetime – to perform in a professional ballet company whilst still students. The young dancers will be mentored by English Youth Ballet’s principal dancers. Anyone watching EYB will in for an exciting experience. They will watch top international principals and ballet stars of the future in a professional production.”

Lottie is playing Little Mariinsky. She attends Southsea School of Dancing and is home educated, as is Hannah who is playing a Hungarian Princess.

Ben explained: “English Youth Ballet (EYB) has won the hearts of both critics and audiences and established itself as one of the UK’s largest ballet companies. This unique and award-winning touring company blends the talents of seven top international principal dancers and 100 of the most talented young ballet dancers who live and train locally to each theatre.

“EYB director Janet Lewis believes that 2012 is the year to show just what these young future stars of British ballet can achieve. Swan Lake is technically and dramatically the most challenging of all the classic ballets. EYB will shake up the ballet world by attempting what some may consider impossible. It will stretch its young stars to the maximum in presenting an innovative new production of Swan Lake.”