A group of dancers from Elliott Clarke dance school, have been selected to take part in this years Christmas panto in Liverpool.
Thirteen dinky dancers from the performance school, auditioned earlier this month for parts in Cinderella, being staged at the Liverpool Empire.
The dancers, who are aged between seven and 13, beat off competition from hundreds of other dancers from across the region to get into the panto, which runs from December 11 to January 4.
Principal Suzanne Sharkey, a former professional dancer said she is incredibly proud of her students.
She said: "They all worked really hard to get to where they are and I am delighted that so many of them won places in the pantomime.
"I love to see them on the stage.
"The children all work so hard and the feedback we get from any production company who use our pupils is always positive.
"They are always so well behaved and neatly presented.
"Which as a principal makes me incredibly proud of them.
Ms Sharkey also said that she believes the happy atmosphere at Elliott Clarke is the reason the children perform so well.
She added: "It is like having an extended family sometimes.
"I believe we have a really happy atmosphere at the school and it shows when they are performing, you can really tell they enjoy it.
"We really encourage the kids and try to push them as far as they can go.
"They love coming to the school and I love to teach them."
The young dancers say they have been put through their paces in time for the curtain up and will be performing at least four routines in this year's show spectacular.
Cilla Black stars as the fairy godmother, Les Dennis as Buttons and Jennifer Ellison in the title role as Cinders.
And with the opening night looming, the children say they are "extremely excited" about the prospect of acting with their idols on stage.
Emily Kenwright, 13, who has been dancing for the past five years said she cannot wait for the opening night and would love to follow in the footsteps of former Elliott Clarke pupil, Jennifer Ellison.
She said: "I've been involved in many shows but not really a pantomime before.
"Last year I did Santa Claus the musical which was a lot of fun.
"But what I'm really looking forward to is meeting Jennifer Ellison.
"She used to go to Elliott Clarke and i've seen videos of when she a pupil. She was a fantastic dancer.
"I know she went into acting but when I grow up, i'd like to have a career in showbiz like her or be a professional dancer.
"Now we are doing more and more rehearsals and the performance is just around the corner, i'm getting really excited."
Ballerina Jenna McMahon, 12, who was inspired to dance after seeing her older sister has been enrolled at Elliott Clarke for the three years.
Jenna says her favourite part of the show is the opening scene, where she and her classmates dance along to 'Wake Up Its a Beautiful Morning' by the Booradleys.
She said: "The opening scene is my favourite, we all do a big routine, its really energetic.
"I love coming to dance classes. I have a lot of friends here and it doesn't feel like hard work because I enjoy it so much.
"I love being on the stage and I always make lots of new friends every time I do a performance.
"I get so sad when its the final show because its all over for another year. We all end up crying.
"But I love being part of the pantomime and I'd love to be a performer when I grow up.
While brothers Jamie and Adam Scotland say they don't mind being some of the only boys in the production and that being in the minority makes them feel special.
Jamie 12, said: "I love dancing and performing.
"There aren't many boys in my school who enjoy dancing but when I get to dance practice, there are a few of us.
"There are never as many boys as there are girls in the productions i've performed in but it doesn't matter to me, it makes me feel special.
"We have to do two performances each day and in between we are supposed to have a little nap but we are usually too excited.
"We all sit around and play games instead."
And eight-year-old Adam, who has been dancing for four years said he can't wait to meet one of his favourite TV personality's Melvin Odoom, who is better known as CBBC's 'The Slammer.'
Adam said: "I'm not bothered about Cilla or Les. I'm excited about meeting 'The Slammer!'
"I hope he is as funny as he is on TV."
Elliot Clarke will be opening its doors to vistors on 14th December.
For more details please visit, www.elliottclarke.co.uk
peter, capetown around 2 years, 1 month ago