Youth ballet leaps into Hobsons Bay

The Western Ballet Project's dancers, including Jemma Thompson and Cameron Lowery, will be taking to the stage in Altona. (Shortcut Creatives)

An original youth ballet about a renowned historic female figure is coming to Hobsons Bay this summer.

‘Mary Stuart, The Escape from Loch Leven’ will be performed at Altona Theatre during the summer holidays for the whole family to enjoy.

Western Ballert Project artistic director Sophie O’Donnell said she had a desire to create something with a strong female lead role.

“Having originally come from the UK there are a few memorable, historic woman figures that spring to mind. Mary Stuart is definitely one of those,” she said.

“Combine parts of her unbelievable life with the magic of Celtic music, a splash of tartan and the sense of humour of the Scots and I believe we are in for a winning combination.”

Although auditions were held online via Zoom, that didn’t stop them from “ploughing forward with the plans to create yet another spectacular and highly entertaining ballet”.

The Western Ballet Project is a supplementary ballet program which holds regular open classical workshops.

Auditions for the youth ballet company are held twice a year and take 35 students for the production to allow plenty of one-on-one time with teachers and choreographers.

‘Mary Stuart, The Escape from Loch Leven’ will be performed at Altona Theatre on January 15 at 6.30pm and January 16 at 2.30pm.