After competing in highly selective auditions in April, Sara Dumitru and Nyah George earned their places in the elite 100-strong cast. They will share the stage with internationally acclaimed professional dancers at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley from Fri 28 – Sat 29 August 2026.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for the dedicated pair of dancers. Sara trains at The South London Dance Academy and Nyah trains at Michelle Sidwell Academy of Dance. They are currently experiencing firsthand what it means to be a professional dancer, taking part in rigorous daily rehearsals that include intensive ballet training and coaching from industry professionals. Their journey is a testament to their dedication, discipline, and passion for dance, and they are making the entire community proud.
Dancers on the photo (from left to right): Sara Dumitru, Nyah George
Sara said:
I have been dancing since I was 1 year old. I started dancing because it made me feel happy and I felt like it was something that could put me in a good mood. Dancing is beautiful and when I dance, all of my worries wash away and I start to feel joyful. I want to become more confident while dancing and to manage my emotions before going on stage. I also want to have more experience in dealing with challenges that will appear in my journey.
Nyah said:
I started dancing when I was 4 years old. I loved to copy the dance routines from Disney films (Ballerina by Eric Summer and Eric Warin was my favourite). So my parents signed me up for ballet and some other dance classes. There's no better feeling than performing in front of an audience with my friends. Ballet is my favourite dance. I really think EYB can help me grow in confidence.
EYB Principal Olivia Richards (pictured with Joshua Webb) will play the role of Giselle. She spoke about the joy of working with such talented young dancers. She said:
I was lucky to be able to dance with EYB in Cardiff when I was a young dancer. The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet. I love now working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance challenging and iconic roles and I also teach the young dancers and see them progress. The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers (and the audiences) will never forget!
EYB’s haunting production of Giselle is set in the Edwardian era on an English country estate and has an elegant Downton Abbey flavour. The story follows Giselle, a young governess who falls tragically in love with the aristocratic Albert. Betrayed and heartbroken, Giselle dies—only to return as a ghost who chooses love over vengeance. As Albert visits her grave in the moonlit forest, he encounters the Wili Spirits—vengeful phantoms of young women who rise nightly to take revenge on the men who wronged them.
The English Youth Ballet, established in 1998, is renowned for its commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers. Many former EYB performers have gone on to join world-renowned companies such as The Royal Ballet, and our local dancers are now following in those same inspiring footsteps.
This is a moment of immense pride for our community—seeing our Nyah and Sara perform alongside some of the best in the industry.
