Rising ballet stars are preparing to take the stage in a major professional production.
Beckenham dancers Chloe Hughes, 15, and Annabelle King, 18, have been cast in the English Youth Ballet's upcoming production of Swan Lake, which will be performed at The Hawth in Crawley from October 31 to November 1, 2025.
The pair earned their places in the cast after a highly competitive audition process in June.
They will perform alongside a 100-strong cast and internationally acclaimed professional dancers.
Annabelle solo Swan pose(Image: Peter Mares)
Chloe, who attends Harris Girls Academy and trains at Beckenham Ballet Academy, began ballet at age three.
She said: "I started ballet when I was 3 because I loved moving all of the time and my mum worked in a dance company so I would watch dance a lot which made me want to do it.
"I love being able to move and dance to the music and I love performing, the adrenaline you feel before going on the stage and being able to perform with other people.
"I hope that doing EYB helps to improve my performance skills and ballet technique as I hope to go to Central School of Ballet next year."
Annabelle, who attends Colfes School and trains at Georgina Weston Dance Academy, also began her ballet journey in Beckenham.
She said: "I started ballet when I was four years old at The Janie Harris School of Dance in Beckenham.
"The best feelings about being a dancer are being able to perform on stage, meeting and rehearsing with new people and the satisfaction in gaining improvements in my technique and skill.
"Whilst being a part of EYB I hope to achieve increased strength and ability in the complexity of the dances and to improve my performance ability."
The dancers are currently taking part in intensive daily rehearsals.
These include professional-level ballet training and coaching from industry experts.
Ann Wall, EYB principal dancer who will perform the role of Odette, spoke about working with the next generation of talent.
She said: "Being part of EYB is an amazing experience for any young dancer.
"I feel privileged to be a principal dancer with the company.
"I enjoy teaching and coaching all the young dancers and I see some of the most talented young dancers in the country.
"I feel honoured to be a role model to the dancers and help give them an insight into the world of professional ballet.
"Dancing with EYB is an experience that will stay with the young dancers forever."
The EYB's production of Swan Lake is set in 1895 Imperial Russia.
It tells of love, rivalry, greed and murder.
The narrative unfolds in the Mariinsky Theatre and the royal palace of the Tsar.
It follows Odette, a dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet, and Prince Sergei, son of the Tsar.
Their relationship is threatened by the Tsar's expectations and a quest for royal patronage.
The English Youth Ballet has been nurturing young talent since 1998.
Many alumni have gone on to join world-renowned companies, including The Royal Ballet.
The achievements of Chloe and Annabelle are a source of pride for the Beckenham community.
Tickets for Swan Lake are available from The Hawth box office on 01293 553636.