North Norfolk ballerina Stephanie Claxton, nine, will appear on stage in English Youth Ballet's (EYB) production of Swan Lake next month.

North Norfolk News: Stephanie Claxton, who will dance in English Youth Ballet's production of Swan Lake at Norwich's Theatre Royal next month. Picture: SUBMITTEDStephanie Claxton, who will dance in English Youth Ballet's production of Swan Lake at Norwich's Theatre Royal next month. Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: Archant)

Stephanie (pictured), a Sheringham Primary School pupil, was selected at an audition in November from 200 young hopefuls.

She will dance the part of one of the tsar's courtiers in three performances at Norwich Theatre Royal on March 7 and 8.

Stephanie is studying dance at the Clare Parle School of Dance, in Cawston.

The young dancers in the cast will dance alongside EYB's international principal artists in a professional production, gaining insight into what life is like as a professional ballet dancer.

Stephanie said: 'I started dancing because my best friend got me into it. Clare – my dance teacher – told me about English Youth Ballet and I decided to go for it. The audition was kind of scary because you didn't know what was expected of you. I am really enjoying it so far. I am so looking forward to going on the stage.'

The young cast are working with the EYB's principal dancers at Sprowston Community High School in a 10-day intensive rehearsal process.

EYB is a professional ballet company and each rehearsal day begins with the company being split into three groups for company ballet class warm-ups. The rehearsal day continues with a complex timetable of different rehearsals running simultaneously in three studios at the school.

The ballet is gradually pieced together like a complex jigsaw. At the end of each rehearsal day the whole company always gathers together in the main studio to share what has been learnt that day. British principal ballerina, Julianne Rice Oxley said: 'The young dancers we are working with in Norwich have great energy and attack. Working in a professional environment gives the students a unique insight into life in a ballet company.

'Stephanie is so lucky – I wish there had been something like EYB when I was training!'