ELEVEN talented young dancers from Monmouthshire have passed a tough English Youth Ballet (EYB) auditioning process and are now preparing for a professional production of the ballet Swan Lake at the New Theatre in Cardiff.

They will join a cast comprising eight professional principals, as well as 100 dancers aged 8-18 from South Wales.

EYB held a huge audition for Swan Lake at the New Theatre in February, and nearly 200 young hopefuls turned up.

Janet Lewis, director and founder of EYB, said: “EYB is all about providing extra performance experience to young dancers. We saw a very pleasing standard at the audition and it was lovely to see lots of enthusiasm.”

Those dancers who passed the audition are now busy rehearsing at Fitzalan High School in the capital, led by principal dancer Monica Tapiador, who will play Odile, the Black Swan.

From Monmouthshire are (back row, L-R) Lucy Jenkins, Isabelle Riordan, Emily Langworth, Grace Cracknell, Amanda Jenkins; and (front row, L-R) Lydia Cohen, Seren Humphreys, Fay Russell, Fflur Jones, Hannah Pugsley, and Sophie Langworth.

The EYB will perform Swan Lake at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on August 16, 7.30pm; and August 17, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For tickets visit newtheatre

cardiff.co.uk or call 02920 878889.