Gifted dancer lands principal role in show for pre-school children

A FORMER Twiss Green Primary School pupil who has dedicated his life to ballet is hoping to motivate other youngsters with a show in Manchester.

George Nightingale, of Hob Hey Lane, will play Franz in Palace Theatre’s My First Ballet: Coppelia, aimed at pre-school and primary school children.

The 17-year-old said: “I am so excited for the tour as it is such a privilege to be cast as a principal role in a well known ballet.”

George was inspired to become a dancer when he was two after watching his sister Sophie’s ballet classes.

He added: “I used to stare through the window and watch her and try and copy. My mum saw that I wanted to do it so she started taking me to classes.”

George’s enthusiasm for ballet only grew stronger.

He joined the Hammond performing arts school on a scholarship when he was 11 before moving to London when he was 16 to become an English National Ballet student.

George, whose mum Tricia works at Twiss Green Primary School, said: “I am having the time of my life training and doing something that I love every day.

“But I miss my family and on the odd occasion I have had a cry down the phone to my mum about missing her and wondering whether it was all worth it or not.

“But I can honestly say that no matter where I am in the world my family have been the most supportive people throughout this whole processes.

“Not only is ballet physically exhausting it is also mentally exhausting as you are constantly trying to perfect yourself.

“However through the muscle pains and the injuries the most rewarding thing for me as a dancer would be the applause you hear.”

Now George, whose dream is to work with Matthew Bourne, hopes to inspire others with his Manchester show on April 26.

He added: “That would be brilliant to have inspired children to start dancing.

“Who knows we might have the next prima ballerina in the audience.”