A NORTH Shropshire dancer is looking forward to performing with the English Youth Ballet (EYB) next month.

Arabella Wardle, from Dudleston, will be performing with the EYB for the second time after performing in its Sleeping Beauty production earlier this year.

And next month she is set to perform in Sleeping Beauty at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday and Saturday, April 12-13.

The youngster says she is looking forward to performing with it again and developing her abilities more,

She said: “I started ballet when I was two years old. 

“When I dance it takes me into a whole new world – I feel graceful when I’m on the stage. 

“This is the second time I’ve performed with EYB.

“In 2022 I successfully auditioned for Swan Lake.

“I love the intensity of the training, pushing myself to learn new steps and of course, making new forever ballet friends.

“I train with my current dance school for approximately 14 hours per week, regularly enter competitions and represent my school gymnastics squad.”

A spokesman for the EYB praised Arabella’s efforts in being selected again for Sleeping Beauty at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday and Saturday, April 12-13.

He said: “A superb achievement has been made by a talented young dancer in Arabella. 

“In January, she was chosen to be part of the 90-strong cast of EYB’s production of Sleeping Beauty.  

“She was selected in a hugely competitive audition. 

“The young cast of the ballet are currently experiencing the life of a professional dancer in rehearsals. 

“They are super excited, as they will perform alongside international professional dancers.”

EYB principal Lindsey Fraser will be starring as Aurora in the production and before joining EYB she danced with the Vienna Festival Ballet. 

She said “I wish I had danced with EYB when I was young. 

“The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet. 

“I love working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance fantastic roles and teach and watch the young dancers progress. 

“The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers (and the audiences) will never forget.”