An 18 year-old Ruddington dancer is getting his big break on stage in the capital this Christmas – with a five week run at the London Palladium.
Louis Gaunt is the son of Freedom Dance & Performance principal Stacey Green and started training at the age of four. His talents led him to being offered a full scholarship to one of the top colleges in the country, the renowned Performers’ College in Essex, where he is now in his final year studying professional dance and musical theatre.
Louis has already had a taste of the big time – including a performance on BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing last year as a backing dancer for Laura Mvula. Now it’s been announced he will be joining the cast of the “Dick Whittington” pantomime this year at the London Palladium alongside stars Julian Clary, Elaine Paige, Gary Wilmot, Nigel Havers & Diversity (see poster below).
Stacey told us: “This a fantastic achievement and opportunity for the former student of Ruddington based dance school, Freedom Dance & Performance. Louis has also been personally invited by Olivier award winning choreographer Matthew Bourne, to attend “Swan School” with the hope of landing a role in the world famous all male cast of Swan Lake. Working for Matthew Bourne has been a dream of Louis’ since he was a young boy and so is overwhelmed by the invitation.”
Stacey reveals that September also saw the start of three OTHER students from our village dance school begin their training at professional colleges. “Lauryn Brewin (also from Ruddington) and Harry Robinson (from Bingham) have followed in Louis’ footsteps at Performers’ College with scholarships, whilst Anya Blyth (from Woodthorpe) has been given funding to train at Bodyworks College in Cambridge. The teachers, parents and pupils of the school are extremely proud of their achievements and are planning a school trip to watch Louis in London in January!”
TOP PHOTO courtesy of “Can You Dance?” – Nottingham
