Talented young dancers from Dulwich, have been selected by the English Youth Ballet (EYB), for a professional production of Swan Lake, writes Anisha De…
ten-year-old Flora Lambrette, from South London Dance School and thirteen-year-old Libby Talbot, from the Dulwich Ballet School, participated in EYB’s February auditions at the New Wimbledon Theatre, along with 300 hopeful dancers.
A hundred of the finest dancers, aged eight-eighteen years, from London and South-East England were selected for the performance. The lucky dancers were informed they had been accepted on the day of the audition itself.
The performance scheduled for 24-25 August, will mark the twentieth anniversary of the ballet company.
Director and founder of EYB, Janet Lewis, said: “EYB is all about providing extra performance experience to young dancers. We saw a very pleasing standard at the audition today and it was lovely to see lots of enthusiasm.”
A ten-day rehearsal for the performance has will take place in August at the Ursuline High School in Wimbledon. At the end of each rehearsal day the whole cast will come together to see the production taking shape like a jigsaw.
Flora has been learning to dance for seven years, and is elated to be a part of a real production. Speaking to the News, Flora said: “I am thrilled! I have been looking forward to start the rehearsals, to make new friends and learn a lot!”
She said she has received a lot of support from her teachers and friends, and expects a lot of them to come and see her perform.
Monica Tapiador one of EYB’s principal dancers, will coach the young dancers in rehearsals and will also be star in the roles of Odette – The Black Swan and Odile – The White Swan.
She said: “The young dancers are treated like professional dancers during rehearsals – we work them hard, but the results are fantastic! They learn what the life of a professional dancer is like. They are living their dream and they just love it!”
While all the soloist and corps de ballet roles in the production will be performed by the younger dancers, the principal dancers starring in Swan Lake include: Philipp Bolloev, Samantha Camejo, Clair Corruble, Oliver Speers, Monica Tapiador, Philip Tunstall, Steven Wheeler and Trevor Wood.
A performance of Ballet Virtuoso will also take place on 21-22 August, featuring eight principal feature dancers. Guest pianist Alvin Moisey – winner of the Royal Overseas League Piano Competition, will provide live accompaniment to some of the works.
Tickets for both performances can be purchased online at atgtickets.com/wimbledon or by calling 0844 871 7646.