YOUNG ballet dancers from the Stourbridge area are looking forward to taking to the stage with the English Youth Ballet in a forthcoming production of Giselle.

Matilda Davies, aged 13, Layla Chatterley, aged 13, Amelia Cox, aged 16, Amelie Short, aged 12, and La’myiah Weaver, aged 12, were selected in June from more than 200 hopefuls to be part of the 100-strong cast.

Matilda, a pupil at Kingswinford Academy, dances at the Rachel Dixon School of Dance in Kingswinford; Redhill School student Layla dances at the Marilyn Harris School of Dance in Wolverhampton, Amelia, from Oldswinford, is a student at Ballet Theatre UK in Leicestershire, Redhill School pupil Amelie also dances at the Rachel Dixon School of Dance and Thorns Collegiate Academy pupil La’myiah Weaver dances with Elite Dance Company in Quarry Bank.

The talented five have been experiencing the life of a professional dancer having been selected to star in the show at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

On stage they will perform alongside international professional dancers including Olivia Richards who is starring as Giselle.

She said: “I was lucky to be able to dance with EYB in Cardiff when I was a young dancer. The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet. I love now working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance challenging and iconic roles and I also teach the young dancers and see them progress.”

EYB director Janet Lewis OBE added: “English Youth Ballet’s aim is 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.”

One of the young dancers - Amelia Cox - has told just what dancing means to her.

She said: “Dancing is part of me, when I step into the dance studio it’s like I am released from all my worries, and it makes me feel free!

“My ambition is to be a part of a professional ballet company and perform repertoire. I know this will not be easy, but I am ready for the challenge! I am motivated by corrections teachers offer, as there are always things I need to work on. I feel that my experience with EYB will give me the environment, support and training to assist me in achieving my dream.”

Amelia, who began dancing when she was just three at Purshall School of Dance, Wordsley, has already made great strides to realise her dream.

She first became a Royal Ballet junior associate and later won a residential funded place at Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School where she trained from year seven to 11, before moving to Hinckley, Leicestershire, to study for a BA (Hons) in Ballet Performance at Ballet Theatre UK.

The haunting tale of Giselle will be presented at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from September 6 to 7.

Set in the Edwardian era, the story sees a young governess die of a broken heart after falling in love with aristocrat Albert who betrays her. After her death her ghost chooses to protect Albert from the macabre spirits of other young women that also lurk in the graveyard keen to seek revenge on the local town’s menfolk.

Tickets for Giselle can be bought at the box office at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on 01902 429212 or online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk