SIXTH former Jacob Roberts takes his place in the spotlight today in a production of Lord of the Flies.

The lower sixth former at Knutsford Academy was one of 24 young men and boys from the north west to be chosen to dance in the show, being staged at The Lowry in Salford.

The Lowry opens the UK tour of the New Adventures production, which goes on to tour, with each venue recruiting its own dancers to perform at its theatre.

The production was set up with the aim of engaging more boys and young men in dance, and 600 boys applied for The Lowry show.
Jacob was on a railway station when he was called to say he had been chosen for the show.

“I was stood there for 10 minutes in shock, waiting for my train to arrive, and can honestly say I have never been more excited,” he said.

“I am so privileged to be on this project, working with such talented and amazing people. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

“I would love to join a major dance conservatoire after I leave sixth form, then get a place in a contemporary dance company, touring the world.”

Jacob studies dance, drama, English literature and maths mechanics, and outside school is part of the Centre for Advanced Training in Dance at The Lowry, which he started in September.

He has also taken part in several workshops and classes with Phoenix Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company, Liala Diallo, Homegrown Youth Dance Company and PJ Hurst from New Adventures.

He has been part of School Dance Companies Fusion and Ignition, and has performed in his school’s annual dance festival for the past three years, which involved pieces with Fusion, Ignition, exam pieces and his own choreography.

“When you’re dancing you’re giving everything, there’s so much power, emotion and adrenaline running through you,” said Jacob, from Altrincham.

“You get a rush, which is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced, and it’s the thing I enjoy most of all.”

New Adventures is a contemporary dance/theatre touring company.