Girls' dreams come true with 'lavish' Cinderella show

Two girls from Merseyside will be performing in a prestigious new show.

Several young dancers from the area will be performing in a ballet based on Cinderella. Officially titled Cinderella in Hollywood, the ballet will be set in the glamorous era of 1950s Hollywood movies. Described as a ‘lavish production’, it draws inspiration from the film star Grace Kelly who met Prince Rainier of Monaco at a press party and later married him.

The English Youth Ballet production will be shown at the Manchester Opera House. One of them is Ava Santos, 14, who attends Shine Theatre School in Litherland.

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Speaking to the ECHO, Ava’s mum Medina, 43, said: “It's just a dream come true for her really. Although she’s danced before, she’s not really performed in full ballet.

“The English Youth Ballet has given her not only the experience of a ballet but also the other things - the experience of being backstage, all the costumes and make-up that goes into it. She loves it, it’s definitely her forte. She’s come on leaps and bounds.”

Although dancing has always been a passion for Ava, live performances have increased her love further. Medina said: “She’s been at current dance school since she was four. She’s always danced from the minute she could walk.

“Probably the turning point was performing at Saddler’s World Theatre in London when she was seven. That sparked a flame.

“She went on to perform in Vegas a couple of years later. Her confidence has grown more.”

It’s a similar story for Audrey Thorburn. The 11 year-old from the Hoylake School of Dance is also starring in the ballet. Speaking to the ECHO, her mum