Sam beats odds to get dance role
Schoolboy Sam Forster has overcome the chronic lung condition cystic fibrosis to win a place with the English Youth Ballet.
Schoolboy Sam Forster has overcome the chronic lung condition cystic fibrosis to win a place with the English Youth Ballet.
The nifty-footed nine-year-old from Codsall has been selected to dance in their production of the Nutcracker at The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. The achievement is all the more remarkable because Sam needs extensive treatment daily for his condition.
His mother Janet, 41, a retained firefighter with another son Joshua, 13, said: "He started dancing at the age of four after watching the TV series Angelina Ballerina.
"My husband Jon was mortified when Sam first said that he wanted to dance but we are all very proud of him now. Sam is also good at football but he loves ballet.
"The exercise is good for him because it helps his condition by preventing chest infections developing. He copes very well."
Sam, a pupil at St Christophers, Codsall, who studies at the Theresa Kilroy School of Dance in Perton, was among 50 children chosen from 164 hopefuls in auditions last week for the production which will be staged in September. Casting takes place in June.
He said: "I was very nervous at the audition but thrilled to have got through."
Theresa Harris, principal of the Theresa Kilroy School of Dance, said: "We obviously know of his medical condition but have never treated him differently from any other pupil. He has got some real ability."
Sam is also a defender for Perton and Codsall Under 10s football team. His bank manager father Jon will be competing in the Berlin Marathon the same month Sam takes to the stage.