A young dancer at Stradbroke High School has been cast in a production of the English Youth Ballet Company’s Cinderella in Hollywood.

Daisy Shearman, 13, from Stradbroke, was delighted to hear this week that she had been chosen to perform as part of a professional ballet company at the Norwich Theatre Royal on May 25-26 this year.

Having first been placed on the reserves list following her audition a few weeks ago, Daisy was initially somewhat discouraged by the experience.

However when the news came of her success, she was over the moon.

“It was very shocking to know that they had chosen me so carefully after being on the reserves list,” Daisy said.

She added that her experience studying ballet at Robert Andrews Academy of Dance since the age of three had been a really positive influence on her life.

“It has given me more friends and built my confidence – I think dancing gives me a break from everything that’s happening at school,” Daisy said.

Daisy’s dad, Tony Shearman, added that Daisy’s dance teacher had played a huge part in building her confidence.

“She has been able to move up into a much more focused class for her ballet,” he said.

“She has got a talent for this sort of thing. We are really pleased for her.”

Daisy has taken part in ballet shows put on by her dance school for a number of years, as well as productions run by touring companies.

Her dance teacher, Robert Andrews, said he was extremely proud of Daisy’s achievement, especially at such a young age – and would be planning a school trip to see the show.

“She is very good to work with – very keen and enthusiastic with a big personality,” he said.

While preparing for the production will be hard work, most rehearsals will take place after school and at the weekends, so Daisy should be able to keep up with her studies.

John Axtell, Headteacher at Stradbroke High, said: “I am absolutely thrilled for Daisy. It is always a pleasure to celebrate the successes of our students, both within school, and beyond. Daisy is an exemplary student with lots of talent who will succeed at whatever she puts her mind to. She will thoroughly enjoy working with the English Youth Ballet.”