THEY may be just 11 years old, but three of the town’s most talented dancers are taking a leap into their future careers after landing roles in an English Youth Ballet production.

Angel Brasier-Dinning, Megan Johnson and Poppy Winsbury will be starring in The Sleeping Beauty in Weston-super-Mare after being chosen out of 150 of the region’s most talented young dancers.

They will be taking to the stage at the Playhouse Theatre as part of a young cast of 81 dancers for three performances on March 8 and 9.

Poppy, who is a pupil at St Joseph’s Catholic College, said: “I am very excited to be in an English Youth Ballet production. The audition was a bit scary but it was fun being with all my friends. I am a bit nervous about performing but I am looking forward to it too.”

Poppy, who attends Tanwood School for Performing Arts, was in the Adver last year when she won a scholarship with the Regional Youth Ballet in Wales.

She had several operations when she was younger because she was born with a heart problem – but that is not stopping her from pursuing her future career as a dance teacher.

Megan Johnson is a pupil at St Francis C of E Primary School and attends Charlotte Johnson’s School of Dance and Musical Theatre.

“I love dancing and I like performing because it’s really fun,” she said.

“Sometimes when you are dancing by yourself it gets a bit scary because you’re scared you’re going to get the dance wrong.

“I am really excited. I do dance competitions sometimes so I’m not nervous.”

The talented girls will be on stage alongside principal dancer Amy Drew and six other international principal dancers.

The trio gained their places in English Youth Ballet at an audition in November.

Angel, who is a pupil at Lawn Primary School and attends Estelle School of Dance, said she could not wait to appear on stage.

“I am really happy that I was chosen. I get a bit nervous before I go on stage but then when I’m there it’s really fun, I love it,” she said.

“I want to be a ballet dancer when I grow up.

“It’s exciting to be dancing on stage – I really enjoy it.”

The young cast are currently engaged with the professional dancers in rehearsals at Clevedon School in a 10-day intensive rehearsal process.

Performances are on March 8 at 7.30pm, and March 9 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are £19.50 or £17.50 with reduced prices also available for concessions.

For tickets call 01934 645544 or visit www.theplayhouse.co.uk.