Leeds children as young as seven to appear in Snow White

The year three pupils from Richmond Hill Academy will take to the stage at Leeds Playhouse on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February 2026. They will perform alongside balletLORENT's own dancers, getting a real taste for the world of performing arts.

The pupils were selected for their enthusiasm and spirit following a workshop at the Clark Lane school was led by balletLORENT dancers Gavin Coward and Debbi Purtill. All the young performers are aged seven and eight and they will appear in two scenes.

The Leeds show is part of a mini tour that takes in five venues across England and Scotland, however the pupils will not be leaving their studies behind to go on the road. balletLORENT will find a new ‘young cast’ in each location.

With choreography by balletLORENT artistic director Liv Lorent, costumes by Lady Gaga and Madonna designer Nasir Mazhar and Libby El-Alfy (Game of Thrones) and music by Dr Who composer Murray Gold, the children will be part of an impressive line-up of talent.

James MacGillivray, education and projects manager, balletLORENT said: "For many children, taking part in a professional stage production is a unique and transformative experience. It not only builds their confidence and creativity but also enhances their ability to collaborate, communicate, and express themselves in new ways.

"Schools benefit immensely too from our young cast initiative, as these workshops enrich their arts provision and inspire both students and teachers alike."

Suitable for ages 5+, balletLORENT’s dance theatre version of Snow White retains all the classic elements of the original Brothers Grimm tale, which has been familiar to story lovers for over two centuries.

The show is a significant reworking of balletLORENT's 2015/16 Snow White, which delighted audiences around the country and received four star reviews in The Guardian and The Times when it toured again in 2025.

Directed by balletLORENT founder Liv Lorent, the Richmond Hill Academy children will join a professional cast featuring performers of all ages. Sixty-two year old balletLORENT regular Caroline Reece plays the Queen whilst her King, Geoff Hopson, 55, came out of dance retirement especially for the production.

balletLORENT's Snow White is on Friday 20 (6pm) and Saturday 21 February (1.30pm) 2026, Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP. Tickets from £16.50. T: 0113 213 7700 or https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/snow-white/