Nine-year-old ballet dancer Emma crosses the Solent to perform in Swan Lake

A young dancer from Fusion Arts Academy on the Isle of Wight is to perform in the English Youth Ballet production of Swan Lake at Portsmouth’s Kings Theatre later this month.

Nine-year-old Emma Willey will join the cast as a cygnet having impressed at the auditions. She is being supported with cross-Solent travel by Wightlink, to help her attend numerous rehearsals ahead of the performances on 28 and 29 April.

A cast of around 80 young dancers, each selected for their skill and potential, will be joined on stage by international principals.

English Youth Ballet Director Janet Lewis MBE said: “Emma has exceptional performance quality – especially for someone so young. She was the young dancer who stood out from among the 103 dancers who auditioned.  Her balletic technique is very promising.  Well done Emma!”

Kings Theatre Artistic Director Jack Edwards said: “It is an absolute pleasure for the Kings Theatre to have the English Youth Ballet perform on our stage – the cream of the next generation of ballet dancers. But it is even more rewarding knowing that we have some incredible local dancers as part of the cast. They are being given a well-earned opportunity to perform as part of a prestigious company and I am sure this will be invaluable to them moving forward, as well as very exciting in the moment.

Wightlink Commercial Director Phil Delaney said: “We are delighted to support Fusion Arts Academy as part of our Wightlink in the Community programme. Emma has clearly impressed the production team with her skill and talent and we wish her all the best for her performances on stage.”

The ferry company has supported Fusion Arts Academy with discounted travel since 2019, helping its young performers to take part in mainland competitions and events.

Earlier Wightlink assisted the Kings Theatre by transporting Chitty Chitty Bang Bang off the Isle of Wight for a flying visit to some of Portsmouth’s iconic landmarks to help promote a community production of the show this month.

More information about Swan Lake and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Kings Theatre can be found at www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk.

You can keep up to date with Wightlink in the Community via these social channels:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WightlinkintheCommunity

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wightlinkcommunity/

Twitter https://twitter.com/WightlinkITC

For more information, please contact the Duty Media Officer:

• 07870906189

• [email protected]