Isle of Wight ballet star performing in Matthew Bourne production

Louis Harris, of Ryde, is on tour with the cast of Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet, and has mastered two characters.

The 20-year-old former Ryde Academy pupil was invited to audition for a role in the show back in August, after attending Matthew Bourne’s Swan School, and a few weeks later he was dancing with the cast.

After gaining valuable experience at Hilary Hall’s School of Dance in Ryde, and working with dance teacher Hilary Seaton at Ryde Academy, Louis achieved a first class with honours degree at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, and went on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Salford, achieving a distinction.

Island ballet star, Louis Harris. (Image: Christine Harris)

Louis’ mother, Christine, said he has been dancing since he was just six years old, and his dance teachers noticed he had something special.

Already, he has performed at shows in the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Sheffield, and following his UK tour, the Island dancing ace will be taking his talents to Paris, Los Angeles, Beijing, Korea and Japan, among other venues across the globe.

But for those who can’t make one of them, there is still an opportunity to see him perform.

He will be heading to Medina Theatre in December for a Sleeping Beauty pantomime – something he has done for the last three years.

Island ballet star, Louis Harris, as a child. (Image: Christine Harris)

“I’m very proud of him, of course,” said Christine.

“He’s worked really hard for this, and as a little boy, he always said he was going to be a dancer.

“I’m taking his 91-year-old grandmother up to Wolverhampton to see him in the show.”

“I did not expect it at all,” said Louis.

“It still hasn’t quite sunk in, it’s incredible.

“All the dancers and artists are amazing. It’s my first professional job and will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I’m just trying to live in the moment. I would love to work on Matthew Bourne’s next production.

“I studied his work when I was at school and now I’m actually a part of it.

"I've never been to LA before, and I'm really excited because it's Hollywood and everything you see on TV, and I'm also looking forward to going to Tokyo because it's just a different world over there."