An Angus schoolboy has been given a fairytale beginning in his quest to become an international dance star.
While most Courier Country youngsters were engrossed in video games, TV and iPhones at the weekend, Vincent Ewart pirouetted through two days of gruelling auditions for a national production.
Brechin’s answer to Billy Elliot will have the chance to let down his hair after coming through 60 hopefuls for modern ballet Rapunzel.
The nine-year-old, known as Vinny, made the cut in auditions held in Aberdeen and is the only male child ballet dancer given a part for the performances at His Majesty’s Theatre in the Granite City scheduled for April.
His parents, software designer Allan and former Russian dancer Iryna, are thrilled his young dreams to be a top ballet dancer are beginning to come true.
But it is not all plain sailing for children in a female-dominated art form.
Mr Ewart said: “He has come in for a bit of stick from kids at school because there is that perception that ballet is for girls.
“However, he knows how to set them straight and they are surprised by how physically demanding the activity is.
“It’s much tougher on the body than many other sports. Vinny loves performing and I’ve been very impressed with how he coped with two very long days of auditions.”
Vinny said: “When I’m performing on the stage I forget all my worries and troubles. It is as though I’m flying in another world, almost like a dream I feel free.
“To complement my ballet tuition for the last three years, I have been attending gymnastics lessons for four years.
“I would love to be given the opportunity to take part in Rapunzel for the experience of being in a professional production.
“The costumes look amazing and it is a beautiful story.”
The Maisondieu Primary pupil has been studying violin and piano for two years and is in the school orchestra, drama group and choir.
He has appeared in a recent production of The Nutcracker held by Beryl Cooper’s Esk Academy of Dance in Montrose, and played the leading role in his school’s production called You Did It For Me.
Written by poet laureate Carol Anne Duffy, the new version of Rapunzel is a take on the classic fairytale, put on by Liz Lorent’s acclaimed modern dance company BalletLORENT.
Featuring music from Doctor Who composer Murray Gold, and costumes by Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton, Duffy’s Rapunzel is as much for adults as it is for children.