Sixteen talented young dancers from Oswestry and the surrounding areas are taking part in rehearsals for a new ballet that takes place at Theatre Severn next weekend.

Cinderella in Hollywood, which takes place on Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, stars international principal dancers as well some local girls who are all part of the English Youth Ballet (EYB).

All the soloist and corps de ballet roles in the production will be performed by 83 of the finest dancers aged eight to 18 from Shropshire.

Set in the glamorous era of 1950s Hollywood movies, Cinderllea in Hollywood draws its inspiration from the film star Grace Kelly who met Prince Rainier of Monaco at a press party and later married him. Cinderella is a seamstress on a film set and the Fairy Godmother is her late mother - a former movie star of the 1930s. Her wicked sisters are Hollywood starlets competing with each other for starring film roles. The Prince meets Cinderella at the press party but at midnight she flees from the scene leaving a sparkly silver pointe-shoe as the only clue to her identity.

The young cast will rehearse for just 11 days for the production. During those days EYB take over three of the biggest rooms at Meole Brace school 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.

Performances take place on Friday, June 22 at 7.30pm and Saturday, June 23 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For tickets call: 01743 281 281 or visit: www.theatresevernco.uk