ROTATING between sprigged boots and black slippers is a weekly reality for eight-year-old Scott Allright – but he’s no sissy.

Scott Allright is happy on the dance floor or the rugby pitch. Photo supplied.

Part of the Pakuranga under-9 Orange side, the Howick schoolboy enjoys the rigorous of training and matches – a stark contrast to the poise needed for the ballet routines and rehearsals needed for his three roles in a production of The Little Mermaid, on stage later this month.

While some may regard a male involved in ballet as effeminate, Scott’s rugby coach, Phillip Morrow, believes ballet could help boys improve hand and eye coordination plus on-the-field skills,

“If this is what they want to do, go for it,” he says.

Howick Dance Studio principal and Scott’s dance teacher Sharon Barber agrees boys would benefit from physical and emotional confidence through dance.

Asked about being teased, Scott answers:

“That’s okay, they have a problem not me! Why not give it a go first?”

He reckons ballet has helped him become a better player, both in the lineout and with his footwork.

Auckland Rugby Union football manager Mike Elliott said kids often follow or take up several different sports and to his knowledge have not had any problems juggling the two. Scott has been playing rugby for Pakuranga since he was 5-years-old.

In September 2004 he achieved his Royal Academy of Dance Certificate accredited in England at Primary Level with Distinction. Now he is aiming for Grade 1.

“Scott’s attitude and determination to enjoy his activities is admirable. In the past year an awareness and acceptance from parents, especially ones whose own boy may show an interest in ballet has been refreshing,” said his mother Desirée.

MAGICAL toys come to life in Howick Dance Studio’s end of year show The Fairy Doll this weekend.

The mini ballet will see nine senior dance students take to the stage in various doll costumes.

“It’s a story about a toyshop and a lady who comes in to buy a present for Christmas,” says studio principal Sharon Barber. “The cast are dressed up as dolls. We’ve got a teddy bear, Chinese doll, Spanish doll, harlequin doll and the fairy doll is the one she wants to buy.”

Magic and wonder begins when the store closes at day’s end.

“When everyone goes home all the dolls come to life and have a party,” says Ms Barber. “The toy shop owner comes back in the morning and wonders what’s going on.”

Ms Barber says the show will be particularly entertaining for young children.
“The cast range between 14 and 17,” says Ms Barber.

“We have a lot of aspiring dancers coming to see the shows and they want to see what the big girls are doing. They watch with adulation.”

For many of the dancers it will be their last time performing with the studio.
“Some of those girls I’ve been teaching since they were three.

“For some of them this is the last year I will have them because they’re 17,” says Ms Barber.

“It’s awful having to say goodbye, and that’s why many of them come back and choreograph.”

The show will generate much-needed funds for improvements at the studio.

“This year we’re raising money because we’ve build a mezzanine floor for our costumes, but we can see them all so we want to get some curtains to cover them,” says Ms Barber.

Photo: Jenny Spellman (front), Georgia Wansink, Laura Wansink, Jordan Cole, Samantha Tan, Kirstyn Easthorpe and Breeanna Potter bring toys to life in the new Howick Dance Studio show The Fairy Doll. Times photo Michelle Hyslop.