Almost half of the cast of the English Youth Ballet's Swan Lake production will be from Norwich after local dancers beat out tough competition in a strenuous audition process.
As many as 42 city dancers will perform alongside senior professionals in three performances at Norwich Theatre Royal on Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22.
The group are currently undertaking 60 hours of rehearsals at Sewell Park Academy across 10 days in order to be ready for the demanding performance.
One of the dancers, Aimee Fuller, 17, from Thorpe St Andrew, said featuring in the performance was a dream come true.
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She said: "I love entertaining people because it brings me joy and when I dance it allows me to express my emotions without saying anything.
"Performing with the English Youth Ballet will help me to gain knowledge of the way a production is put together on stage and off."
Another one of the performers, Harry Shawcross, 15, from Surlingham, said performing in the ballet had given him confidence in his day-to-day life.
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He said: "I started dancing five years ago after seeing my sister perform at the Theatre Royal in Pocahontas.
"When I dance I feel like I have physically exerted myself in a new way and I love the feeling of confidence it brings.
"I was ready for a challenge in my dancing and am looking forward to experiencing a higher level in ballet at English Youth Ballet."
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Lyndsey Fraser, English Youth Ballet principal, who will star as Odette, said she wished she had performed with the group as a child as the experience is invaluable.
She said: "The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers and the audiences will never forget.”
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