MORE young dancers are needed for an English Youth Ballet (EYB) production of classic Coppelia.

Auditions will be held at Weymouth Pavilion on Wednesday, February 6, following on from the first round of auditions in November.

at this audition young male and female dancers (aged between eight and 18) from across the region will be offered the chance to rehearse with and then dance alongside international professional principal dancers in the production for three performances to be presented at Weymouth Pavilion from April 5 to 6 April.

Award-winning EYB is now in its 21st successful year and is one of the largest ballet companies in the UK. EYB is a national touring ballet company with director Janet Lewis MBE at its helm.

Miss Lewis enjoyed an illustrious dancing career with the Royal Ballet Company and London Festival Ballet dancing alongside such greats as Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev.

The company consists of a core team of eight international principal dancers, two artistic ballet staff, two wardrobe mistresses and four theatre technicians. The principal dancers have danced in some of the world’s greatest companies including English National Ballet, La Scala and the Boston Ballet. EYB is highly regarded for presenting lavish, large-scale classical ballets and critics have praised the quality of the beautiful sets and costumes.

EYB director Janet Lewis says: “The EYB audition is an experience in itself. EYB is all about performance experience and this starts at the audition as the dancers are given a regular ballet class with parents and family encouraged to watch. We are looking for young dancers of all abilities who can show the audience how much they enjoy their dancing."

The first audition (for dancers aged 8 – 11) is 4.30pm to 6.15pm and the second audition (for dancers aged 12 – 18) is 6.45pm to 8.30pm. Each audition will take the form of a regular ballet class but it will take place on the stage Dancers will find out on the day if they are successful. It is advisable to register for the audition in advance but it is possible to register on the day (please arrive 30 minutes early to register). The audition fee is £18. Parents are invited to watch the audition from the auditorium.

To register email info@englishyouthballet.co.uk or call 01689 856747.