REHEARSALS are now underway for a lavish new production of Sleeping Beauty featuring 100 of the most talented young ballet dancers from Bournemouth.

Around 150 young hopefuls attended auditions organised by English Youth Ballet (EYB) at the Pavilion theatre in March.

Principal dancer Amy Drew will be dancing the leading role of Aurora and she is training the young cast for next month’s production at the Pavilion.

Amy said: “Rehearsals are going very well in Bournemouth. 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.

“Our production of Beauty has gorgeous costumes and sets. I think that the young dancers are really excited about the costumes!”

The ballet will also star international principal dancers including Adele Robbins, Monica Tapiador, Samantha Camejo, Amy Drew, Brenden Bratulic, Oliver Speers, Phillip Tunstall and Steven Wheeler.

Director and founder of EYB Miss Janet Lewis said: “EYB is all about providing extra performance experience to young dancers.”

EYB has helped many of the UK’s top talent springboard their training progress and careers into some of the world’s greatest ballet companies – including the Royal Ballet Company and English National Ballet.

Tickets for the show which runs from May 19-20 can be purchased at bhlivetickets.co.uk or call 0844 576 3000.