THE English Youth Ballet celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion a new production of Giselle is coming to the Gordon Craig Theatre. Three young dancers from the Buntingford area are busy fitting in rehearsals around school after

THE English Youth Ballet celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion a new production of Giselle is coming to the Gordon Craig Theatre.

Three young dancers from the Buntingford area are busy fitting in rehearsals around school after being chosen to take part in the ballet.

Jenny Albrooke, 16, Chloe Woodger-Smith, 14, and Madeline Baron, 10, all made it through the tough auditions back in November.

Jenny, who is a pupil at Freman College, has danced with the English Youth Ballet on two previous occasions.

She says: "Rehearsals are going really well but they are tiring.

"You get to meet lots of new people though, which is nice."

Chloe, who is also a pupil at Freman College, says: "The rehearsals are hard work but they are fun."

This is the first production that Madeline, from Hormead, has performed in and she is very excited.

She says: "I am looking forward to the performance.

"The rehearsals are good and I like working with the professionals."

The ballet is set on an English Country estate and is a dramatic love tale about a young girl who dies after finding out she has been deceived by the man she loves.

Six professional dancers will take on the lead roles, beside 100 young dancers from Stevenage and the surrounding area.

Jenny, who takes on the role of one of Giselle's friends, says: "It is good to meet the professional dancers.

"They give you lots of advice and help you with things."

Chloe and Madeline will be playing two of the Wilis girls, who were jilted in love and who rise from their graves at night to take revenge on any man who crosses their path.

The three girls have been dancing since a very young age.

Chloe says: "I have been to ballet lessons since I was four.

"I do it because I love dancing."

And Madeline agrees: "I have been dancing for six years.

"I enjoy it because my teacher is really nice."

Jenny, who aims to dance professionally and is currently auditioning for a place at a full time ballet school, says: "I have been dancing for 13 years and I love doing it.

"You can create characters when you dance."

Jenny also landed the full scholarship for the production meaning that all her expenses are paid.

The English Youth Ballet awards one senior and one junior scholarship at the auditions of each ­production.

I leave the girls, who are on half- term break, as they head to six hours of rehearsals for Giselle.

They will be in the capable hands of director Janet Lewis, who has received an MBE for her work with the English Youth Ballet, and for services to dance.

Giselle will be performed at the Gordon Craig Theatre between March 3-5 at 7.45pm and there will also be a Wednesday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £15-17 and are available from the box office on 08700 131030.