YOUNG performer Ethan Jell will be starring alongside stars of the Russian State Opera at the Wyvern Theatre tonight.

Ethan, aged six, who attends Prime Youth Theatre in Swindon every week, was selected to play the son of Madama Butterfly. The King William Street primary school pupil will be meeting the cast and rehearsing with them on the day of the performance.

“He is really excited,” said Ethan’s father, David Jell.

“He is very interested in performing, and is a member of Prime so he has done shows with them, and at school.”

Ethan’s is clearly a very theatrical family – his father is deputy technical manager, working at the Wyvern and the Swindon Arts Centre, and his sister Lauren, aged 10, has just performed in Summer Holiday, as part of the Summer Youth Project.

He will feature in several scenes as the young son of the two main characters, and has watched some videos in preparation, to see what the role involves. Ethan will have a young sailor boy costume to wear in the show.

Grandparents Mike and Sue Gell, as well as mum Marie and sister Lauren will all be in the audience, while Mr Jell will be his son’s chaperone, watching the performance from the wings.

Ethan, who also enjoys riding his bike and scooter, watching films, and playing Star Wars games on his PS3, said he was thrilled to be part of the production, and that it would be an experience he would remember for a long time.

The Russian State Opera is bringing an orchestra of more than 30 talented musicians for the production of Madama Butterfly, which tells the story of a love affair between and American naval officer and his young Japanese bride, whose defiance of her family and self-sacrifice lead to tragedy.

The tale of love caught between two different cultures, first performed in 1904, will be sung in Italian with English surtitles.

The Russian State Ballet and Opera House has been presenting ballets and operas to huge audiences for over 14 years.

Alexej Ignatow, producer of The Russian State Ballet & Opera House said: “We are constantly on the lookout for new challenges and to ensure that our opera and ballet audience get a chance to experience a wide spectrum of various classic pieces.

Opera and ballet is often thought to be “difficult” and elitist, but this is not so. Both forms are timeless and, like any art, they need to be presented in an accessible and attractive way to the audience. Therefore, we feel it is so important to present our productions in a classical, traditional style that is familiar to all.”

Tickets are £32 to £38, with concessions available. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.