Christmas is traditionally the time for treats – and treats don't come much more special than a visit to the ballet. Many a little girl has been known to become starry-eyed at the dreamy spectacle of graceful ballerinas pirouetting and leaping in frothy tutus, and for Christmas, nothing can beat The Nutcracker, with music by Tchaikovsky Obviously, it's the Sugar Plum Fairy who gets, well, the plum role in this Christmas favourite, but there is also a chance for a budding star to shine in the role of Clara as a child. This year, in the all-new production of The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet at the Coliseum, young dancer Lowri Shone, 13, is receiving raves reviews, being noted as "an absolute delight” in The Daily Telegraph, and “a student with enormous poise” in The Times. Here Lowri, who trains at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, tells us about her first starring role:
When did you start dancing? When I was four
Who are your dance heroes? Daria Klimentova – even more so since sharing the role of Clara with her.
What’s your favourite ballet? Swan Lake
What’s your earliest dancing memory? Watching my older sister in ballet classes
What do you want to be when you grow up? A ballet dancer!
Who’s your hero/biggest inspiration? My parents. My mum is a college lecturer and my dad is in the army.
How would you spend your favourite day? Shopping with my older sister - if there was no limit on budget!
What’s on your Christmas list? Clothes - lots of them!
If you fancy a treat for the New Year, you can see the beautiful ballet of star-crossed lovers in the English National Ballet's performance of Romeo And Juliet.
