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In showbiz, the show must go on - even if it is a bit late!
Six talented young local ballet dancers from across the Malling area were over the moon when they passed an audition to appear in the English Youth Ballet's production of the Nutcracker back in 2020.
Sadly, their performances were cancelled due to covid.
But now the event has been rescheduled and will take place at The Hawth Theatre in Crawley on Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20.
The six are Emily Bradley, 16, from West Malling, a pupil at Tonbridge Grammar School. Inaya Fraser, 10, from Leybourne, a pupil at Valley Invicta Primary.
Elle Phillips, 16, from Leigh, a pupil at the Weald of Kent Grammar School in Tonbridge and her sister Jasmine Phillips, 15, a pupil at Knole Academy.
Samantha Timbers, 17, from Hildenborough, a pupil at Hillview Girls School, and Taliah Wood, nine, from East Peckham, a pupil at Mereworth Primary.
Emily and Inaya train with the Prima Stage School. Elle and Jasmine train with the Georgina Weston Dance Academy. Samantha with Itali Conti and Taliah with the D'Arcy Stage School.
They will all get to dance alongside international professional dancers in the show which has a cast of 88.
Samantha Timbers is dancing the leading role of Clara in the production.
She said: "I started dancing form the age of three, but I never really knew the reason why I was dancing until I was a teenager.
"I discovered that this was a way to escape from everyday life and mental struggles. This is when I truly found my love for dancing."
'I feel alive and nothing else matters..'
She said: "When I am on stage and performing with other performers around me - I feel alive and complete, like there is nothing missing and nothing else matters."
Samantha is hoping to start professional dance training in September next year.
Tickets for Nutcracker can be purchased by ringing 01293 553636 or by clicking here.
Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone
