Angelina Ballerina is taking a twirl in Newcastle this weekend. Jenny Chambers hears more about a delightful half-term treat for children.
SHE’S been the star of books and TV and now she’s a whisker away from dancing into the hearts of Newcastle theatre-goers.
The tutu-clad children’s favourite Angelina Ballerina is taking to the stage of the Theatre Royal on Saturday and Sunday in what promises to be a real treat to end the schools’ half-term break.
Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition is a new work by English National Ballet, following in the successful ballet-slipper-wearing footsteps of Angelina’s Star Performance, the first live ballet version of the mouse’s tale.
This time, audiences will follow the fortunes of the stubborn little mouse – made famous in author Katherine Holabird’s and illustrator Helen Craig’s hugely popular books, and later in a TV series – as she takes the next step towards fulfilling her dream of being a ballerina. Against a backdrop of storybook sets and costumes, a young and talented cast brings to life all the familiar characters – such as Angelina’s best friend Alice, who loves twirling and dressing up but often forgets her steps; naughty tease Sammy, who turns his nose up at ballet and the spoiled Pinktoes twins Priscilla and Penelope, who are Angelina’s rivals at Camembert Academy.
During her audition for the academy, Angelina meets lots of new friends who introduce her to exciting new twists on traditional ballet, from jazz to hip hop.
And there’s even a regional twist to the tale: the cast includes a dancer, James Lawrence Henson, who was born in South Shields.
The 21-year-old has said he was in danger of being kicked off his musical theatre course at Newcastle College because his ballet was so bad that he needed private training. But after finding a private teacher in Gateshead – and thanks to his being a quick learner and sheer hard work – he’s never looked back, going on to audition for Central School and then to join English National Ballet in London.
He’s also planning to join Berne Ballet in Switzerland in the summer.
In the meantime, he’s got enough on his hands, or should that be paws, in playing a mouse.
With clever choreography and music integrating Tchaikovsky’s score from The Sleeping Beauty, the show is sure to delight classical ballet lovers from the age of three and upwards.
Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition is at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, at 11am and 2pm on Saturday and at 12noon and 3pm on Sunday.
For tickets, £8-£15, visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call 08448 112 121.
