Taupō girls crack the ballet big time

Two young Taupō dancers got the opportunity to perform with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in a “kiwiana” version of The Nutcracker recently.

By Dan Hutchinson

Maddie Sutton, 11, played the role of Fritz while Penny Beauchamp, 8, was an extra, performing at the Municipal Theatre in Napier on November 29-30.

Maddie dances at Laura Westbury Dance and is also a student of Cara Lee Choreography.

Penny dances at Dance Central Taupō and her teachers are Grace Bilbie and Iggy Gloy.

Maddie says there were nine weeks of practice leading up to The Nutcracker performances.

She enjoyed spending time with the principal dancers who played the part of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Penny enjoyed being on stage and meeting all the characters, the professional dancers.

Both enjoyed the amazing costumes.

There were about 50 people in the cast and all three shows in Napier had good crowds, says Penny’s mother Laura Beauchamp.

She says both dancers have been dancing since they were two.

 “It was the Kiwiana version of the Nutcracker. It was amazing.”

Penny and Maddie were the only two dancers from Taupō.