Young Belvoir Dance Academy ballerinas cast in English Youth Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty set for the stage at Nottingham Theatre Royal

Two talented young ballerinas are set to take to the stage alongside international professional dancers.

Nine-year-old Olivia Hamson, of Granby, will perform Sleeping Beauty on stage at Nottingham Theatre Royal with the English Youth Ballet (EYB).

She was one of 70 dancers selected to join EYB in a competitive video audition earlier this year and is now experiencing the life of a professional dancer in rehearsals, with 60 hours of rehearsal scheduled for the weekends leading up to the performance.

Olivia has danced since she was three and currently trains at the Belvoir Dance Academy.

Sian Hamson, Olivia’s mum, said: “She is really excited, she loved dancing in Belvoir Dance Academy’s show and is excited to dance at a higher level with the English Youth Ballet.

“Of all the classes she takes, ballet is her favourite.”

Another dancer from Belvoir Dance Academy, Gracie Ibberson-Davis, is part of the cast.

12-year-old Gracie, from Bottesford, was also selected through video auditions and will star alongside Olivia in Sleeping Beauty.

Both girls will be dancing with EYB Principal Lyndsey Fraser, who will take on the role of Aurora.

Janet Lewis, EYB director, said: “The cast have shown great enthusiasm and excitement in their Sleeping Beauty rehearsals.

“The children are obviously so pleased to be back dancing again and taking part in a ballet that they love and are working hard not only on their ballet technique but on their performance quality that expresses the part they are dancing.”

Sleeping Beauty will be on stage from Friday, July 22 to Saturday, July 23.