A PAIR of talented Hexham youngsters are poised to make their stage debut with the English Youth Ballet.

Amy Gaukroger and Nathan Delahunty will perform in the company's production of Giselle on September 9 and September 10.

Amy (15), trains with the Phillips-Cain School of Dance and will take the part of Wili Spirit.

And 12-year-old Nathan, a dancer with the Affleck Academy of Ballet, is to perform as 'aristocratic boy.'

Both dancers auditioned for the parts in April this year and were selected from hundreds of young hopefuls to perform in the professional production at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle.

Queen Elizabeth High School student, Amy decided to audition for the production just the week before.

She said: "I went to the audition on a bit of a whim, a friend mentioned it to me and I went along thinking it would be a good experience.

"I was so surprised when I got in."

Rehearsals are now well underway, with the youngsters taking part in gruelling six hour days at Walker Technology College, Newcastle.

But it's all good experience for both youngsters, who have danced from an early age.

Nathan, a student at St Joseph's Middle School, has been dancing for eight years and also does tap and hip hop dance.

He said: "I'm so excited to be in the show, the rehearsals are difficult but I'm really enjoying the experience."

And Amy attended her first ballet lesson at the age of three.

She said: "The rehearsals are tough but rewarding and I've made a really good group of friends.

"I enjoy all aspects of dance, but it's when you know you're at one with the music and you can just forget about the steps and are just totally in the moment."

Nathan and Amy will perform alongside international principal dancers – Adele Robbins, Amy Drew, Monica Tapiador, Oliver Speers, Richard Read, Brenden Bratulic and Trevor Wood.

English Youth Ballet Director, Janet Lewis MBE said: "We are especially excited about returning to Newcastle with our poignant adaptation of Giselle.

"We always find extremely talented dancers when we audition for young cast members in Newcastle."

There will be three performances of the ballet, Friday, September 9 and a matinee and evening performance on Saturday, September 10.

Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office 0844 2491 000 or online www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.co.uk