A DANCER from Salisbury took to the stage at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre ahead of Matthew Bourne’s ballet Swan Lake on Friday.

Scott Hutcheon was one of 28 dance students from Totton College and Wildern School who were given the chance to train with Bourne’s dance company, New Adventures, and perform in front of thousands in a curtain-raiser to Swan Lake.

Scott,17, is currently studying dance, acting and performance studies at Totton College and was previously a student at Wyvern College in Salisbury.

“I’m so excited about dancing at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. I’ve always loved performing and since starting my BTEC in dance at Totton College I have really improved my dance technique,” he said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to take part in this dance project with Matthew Bourne’s company, New Adventures, and be trained by professional dancers.”

Scott and his fellow students were given this opportunity by the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE), which creates opportunities for more able, gifted and talented students to excel in their chosen subject.