Ten children from a Salford primary school are set to join the professional cast of an enchanting dance theatre production of classic fairytale Snow White on Valentine’s Day.
The Years 2 and 3 pupils from Summerville Primary School in Irlam o’th’ Heights will take to the stage at Lowry on Saturday 14 February 2026 for two daytime performances. 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 for 120 of them was led by balletLORENT dancers Debbi Purtill and Gavin Coward at the Summerville Road school. All the young performers are aged between five and seven and they will appear in two scenes.
The Salford 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.
Ms Tierney, class teacher at Summerville Primary, said: “The workshop was amazing.
“Debs and Gavin really brought out the best in the children. Their actions and the way that they used their bodies to show their feelings was fantastic.”
The children were also excited after the workshop and looking forward to the performance at Lowry in February. Anania said: “I enjoyed it and it made me think that you have to be tough to be a dancer,” whilst schoolmate Faith said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity and I can’t believe that I have been chosen.”
James MacGillivray, education & 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 Summerville Primary children will join a professional cast featuring performers of all ages. Sixty-two year old balletLORENT regular Caroline Reece plays the wicked queen whilst her king, Geoff Hopson, 55, came out of dance retirement especially for the production.
balletLORENT’s Snow White
Saturday 14 February 2026 11am and 3.30pm
Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
Tickets from £12