TWO local pupils have been rehearsing with the English Youth Ballet after successfully auditioned in November.

Daisy Jacob, 12, from Torcross, and Molly Jones, 10, from Kingsbridge, were both selected to perform Coppélia with the EYB in April. Both youngsters attend the Dartmouth School of Dance.

Daisy, who attends Kingsbridge Community College, said about her dancing: ‘I started when I was five-years-old and it was mainly because my best friend was doing it. I am really enjoying the dancing at English Youth Ballet and being with all the other people and the professionals.’

When asked about her future, she replied: ‘When I am older I am not sure what I want to do. I think I’d like to either work as a dancer or work with animals.’

Molly, who attends Stokenham Primary School, and Daisy will be on stage for Coppélia at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, in April, alongside principle dancers Amy Drew, Adele Robbins, Monica Tapiador, Richard Read, Brenden Bratulic, Oliver Speers and Trevor Wood.

All the soloist and corps de ballet roles in the production will be performed by 80 of the finest dancers, aged eight to eighteen, from Devon.

Amy Drew, one of EYB’s ballerinas who will be dancing the leading role of Swanhilda, has been leading the young dancers in rehearsals. 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!’

The young cast will rehearse for just ten days for the production. During those days EYB take over three of the biggest rooms in The Spires College, Torquay, and run rehearsals simultaneously in each room.

At the end of each rehearsal day the whole cast comes together in the largest space to share what has been learnt that day. The young dancers see the production taking shape like a big jigsaw.

Amy continued: ‘Rehearsals for Coppélia are going very well in Torquay. I enjoy getting to know the young dancers. It is wonderful having such talented young people all in the same place and working together.

‘I think that there is a unique and wonderful synergy that takes place because all the dancers learn so much from watching each other and from watching the professionals too.’

Coppélia, a charming and comical story ballet performed by English Youth Ballet will be at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, on Friday, April 1, at 7.30pm and Saturday, April 2, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. For more information, visit the Princess Theatre website: www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay/ or call 0844 871 3023.