Leigh schoolgirl's Swan Lake dream performance (From Leigh Journal)

Leigh schoolgirl in English Youth Ballet's Swan Lake performance at Preston

7:40am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News

TALENTED teenager Charly Jane Billington will appear with the English Youth Ballet at its next production of Swan Lake.

Fourteen years-old Charly Jane, a pupil at St Mary's Catholic High School, Astley, was selected from over 240 young dancers who auditioned last November and will dance the role of one of the swans at the Preston Charter Theatre.

Leigh girl Charly Jane will be in three performances on April 5 and 6 dancing alongside EYB’s international principal artists in this professional production.

Charly Jane said: “I'm really looking forward to it, it's really good, we get to wear some brilliant costumes.

"I would really like to make dancing my career. I love dancing and getting to be on stage with everyone watching."

She is a member of Leigh based Apple Dance but is also a talented karate exponent. A member of Billy Higgins' Sei-Do-Kan club at Howe Bridge, she gained her black belt status in August 2012.

Her proud mum, Jennifer, a former gymnast, said: "I'm really thrilled for her, she's been dancing since she was three years-old."

One of Charly Jane's biggest fans is her younger sister, Kadie, aged six, who is following in her mother's footsteps as a member of Wigan and Ashton Gymnastics whose headquarters are at Hindley.

EYB company manager Ben Garner said: “Working with English Youth Ballet will most probably be the highlight of these talented young dancers’ careers to date. "The audiences watching EYB are in for a unique and exciting experience too.

“They will be seeing both top international principal artists and the best up-and-coming talent sharing the stage.”

Performances of Swan Lake will be on Friday, April 5 at 7.30pm and on Saturday, A6th April at 2.30pm/7.30pm (3 performances only.

For tickets call: 0844 8447710 or visit: www.prestonguildhall.com