YOUNG dancers from across the North-East will join the English Youth Ballet on stage next week to perform Sleeping Beauty.

One hundred girls and six boys aged eight to 18 will appear in the production at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 7.30pm.

There will also be a matinee performance on Wednesday, at 2pm.

The children, including 60 from Darlington, auditioned for the show in January and have been rehearsing at the town's Hummersknott School and Language College.

The English Youth Ballet tours the country, using young performers in each region it visits.

Spokeswoman Bridget Hearne said: "Generally speaking, the standard of dance in the North-East is higher than in the South, but whatever the standard the kids seem to pull it together and make a performance of it."

To buy tickets, contact the box office on (01325) 486555 or for group bookings (01325) 467071.

* See Wednesday's edition of The Northern Echo for a full review, list of performers and pictures.

Published: 15/05/2004