A TALENTED Bicester dancer has been selected to perform with a professional ballet company.

Annabelle Clifton will play one of Aurora’s eight friends in a production of The Sleeping Beauty at Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, for three performances on August 24 and 25.

The 15-year-old Cooper School pupil was one of more than 200 dancers who auditioned in January for a place in the show.

Annabelle will perform alongside professional dancers from the English Youth Ballet company.

The teenager trains with the Victoria Hill School of Ballet, at community halls in Langford Village and Launton.

She said: “I was shocked to get a part and I don’t think it has still sunk in.

“I’m kind of nervous and excited about it at the same time. I would love to be a dancer or teach dance.”

In the run up to the show dancers will get a chance to experience the life of a professional ballet dancer and will take part in a 10-day intensive rehearsal process at the Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, in Aylesbury.

Annabelle’s parents, Amanda and Andrew of Shearwater Drive, Bicester, will be watching from the audience cheering on their daughter.

Mrs Clifton said: “I’m very proud of her. She didn’t start ballet until she was nine so she was a late started.

“Only in the last few months she has decided it’s something she wants to pursue – she found out about the audition and organised it.”

Company manager Ben Garner said: “Working with English Youth Ballet will be one of the highlights of these talented young dancer’s careers to date.

“The audiences watching EYB are in for a unique and exciting experience too.

“They will be seeing both top international principal artists and the best up-and-coming young talent from their region sharing the stage.”

l For tickets call 0844 871 7627 or go to atgtickets. com