AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD dancer from Cumnock has successfully auditioned to perform on tour with the Scottish Ballet in their production of The Nutcracker.

Ollie Auld says he is “really excited and nervous” to head out on the road with the national ballet company on a tour which will take him to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Newcastle.

And the Lochnorris PS Pupil, who attends PA Dance Academy which is owned by his proud mum, Pauline, is keen to show that boys have just as much of a place in the dancing world as girls.

Ollie said: “I’ve been to England but I’ve never been to Ireland before so it will be fun going there for the first time.”

Pauline explained: “His rehearsals start this month then he’ll move to the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh in November, Glasgow in January then in February he does a week in Belfast and another in Newcastle.

“In the last two places he’ll tour with the company all on his own. He’s excited to go on a tour bus and stay in a hotel.

“A lot of family and friends are saying they want to go see him. It’s such a lovely ballet for that time of year, it’s really family orientated and gives you that Christmas feeling.

“He’s very laid back about it. He’s never experienced anything like this so it’s a change but an amazing opportunity.”

She continued: “Ollie will be dancing with adult male performers as well as other boys and that’s a highlight in itself. Ollie is our only boy – he is not phased by that but getting the chance to dance with other males is really exciting.

“Dancing is not just a sport for girls, just like football is not just a sport for boys. It is open to anyone that wants to dance and provides so many wonderful opportunities for people to do what they enjoy.”