Dancer hits the London stage
James will be in Nutcracker at the London Coliseum
A talented schoolboy from Desford will be performing in the English National Ballet’s adaptation of Nutcracker at the London Coliseum this Christmas.
James Platts, 13, who is a student at the prestigious Tring Park School of Performing Arts, will be a skater in the ensemble of party children and soldiers performing in Nutcracker.
The former Desford Primary school pupil discovered his love of dancing when he joined the Linda Williams School for Performing Arts in Desford at the young age of nine.
His mother, Nicola Kirby, said James was fascinated by dance from a very young age and after attending the Desford-based school, developed a real passion and love for dance.
“It became apparent very soon that not only did James love dancing, he had a real talent for it and he knew that he wanted to dedicate more time to dance,” explains Nicola.
“I had not heard of Tring Park School until a friend mentioned it to me and she said that it was THE school to attend for children with a passion for performing.”
James’ talent was recognised at the Birmingham Stage Dance Festival when he won the award for most promising boy dancer on two occasions and after auditioning for the prestigious school in Hertfordshire he secured his place at just 11-years-old.
Nicola adds: “The school has given him opportunities beyond his wildest dreams, he is loving every second of rehearsals and is calling me every day full of excitement about the principal dancers he is meeting and rehearsing with.
“I can’t wait to see him perform later this month.”
Tring Park school has its roots in dance and is world famous for its dance credentials, having produced many professional dance stars and choreographers including Drew McOnie who won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for his work on In the Heights and is currently directing King Kong the Musical on Broadway.
James will be performing in The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum from Thursday December 13 to Thursday December 20 and Wednesday January 2 to Sunday January 6.