National Youth Ballet

National Youth Ballet was probably my first real taste of what being a professional was about, a lot of my friends had done NYB for years before I started, my family were very poor so we couldn't afford it, and when I finally was able to participate (2 seasons before i was too old to do it anymore) I was selected for a principal role in the now late Frank Freeman's ballet "Four Seasons" where I played the Summer pas de Trois and Soloist. It was a massive leap for me to be recognised outside of college and outside of a competition and the role was juicy and virtuoso (which I always love) the movement was "sweaty and languid" as my predecessor Drew Mconie told me and was an exciting challenge to convey that to the audiences we played to in such theatres as the Hackney Empire.

The following season I was selected to play one of my dream roles: the Jester in Cinderella- Choreographed by Wayne Sleep. I received great critical acclaim and was overjoyed (http://www.nyb.org.uk/perf_reviews.html)

Also this character was a great experience in character development for me the Jester is in fact the Boot boy in disguise from the house where Cinderella lived, a sad case really despite all his joy and love. He loved Cinderella so much that he sacrificed his own happiness and loving her forever by giving her away to the Prince in the final scenes so she can live the life he felt she deserved.... :'( 

Never mind eh?

That's me on the floor to the left!

At that year's gala at Sadler's Wells theatre Jill Tookey and Wayne Sleep presented me and my friend/rival Sam Chung with the Bronze Statuette for outstanding work in the company (Something almost unheard of for a company member of only 2 seasons)