Young Dancers Dizzy With Ballet Joy

Newcastle Herald

Monday February 26, 2007

with Amy Edwards and Sarah-Kate Scicluna

FOUR young Hunter dancers will swap school uniforms for tutus and tights this week when they appear in Queensland Ballet's The Nutcracker.

Simon Jones, Rhys Kosakowski and Elly Wallace, all aged 12, and 10-year-old Sharlene Roberts are students at the Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy.

The four were chosen from 35 Hunter dancers who auditioned for the chance to perform in the opening scene of the famous ballet.

Former Queensland Ballet dancer Nicole Galea said it was a difficult task due to the wealth of dance talent on offer in the region.

Ballet company artistic director Francois Klaus has created a traditional Christmas Nutcracker based on the much-loved story by E.T.A. Hoffman.

The ballet follows the journey of Clara, who is swept into a dream world where beauty, courage and chivalry prevail.

The ballet opens at the Civic Theatre Newcastle on Friday at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 1pm and an evening performance at 7.30pm.

Ticket prices start at $38, phone Ticketek on 4929 1977 or visit www.civicprecinctnewcastle.com.au.