THEO Shirt may be only 11 but his ballet career is coming on leaps and bounds.
Theo, of Kirkland Gardens, Birdwell, has been dancing since the age of three and has now earned a role in the England Youth Ballet’s new production, Cinderella in Hollywood.
Performing ballet requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and Theo has been accepted for a second year on the associate programme at the acclaimed Northern Ballet and the next three weekends will be spent rehearsing in Nottingham.
Theo will be performing alongside principal dancers from across the world, including Britain’s Philip Tunstall, Spain’s Monica Tapiador and Samantha Camejo from Brazil, who will be taking on the role of Cinderella.
The story will be set in 1950s’ Hollywood and follow Cinderella as a seamstress on a film set, with the fairy godmother being her own late mother, a former 1930s’ movie star. Her wicked step-sisters are actresses competing for roles. Instead of a ball, Cinderella meets the prince at a press party.
Theo will have two roles: In act I, he will be performing as a movie actor and as one of the paparazzi in act II.
More than 350 dancers attended auditions but only 100 were given a part.
The performances will be at Theatre Royal Nottingham on July 20 and 21.
Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office 0115 989 5555 or by visiting www.trch.co.uk.
