CHRISTMAS has come early for two talented young dancers from Worcester who have won parts in the nation's favourite festive production The Nutcracker which begins a 13-night run at the Birmingham Hippodrome tonight.

Amy Gwynn and Thomas Edwards, both aged 10, strutted their stuff in front of judges against 31 other hopefuls at the beginning of October.

The two members of Harlequin Stage School in Worcester impressed the panel with their graceful moves so much they are now set to star in the chorus of Sir Peter Wright's glorious production alongside the prestigious Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Amy's proud mum, Lorraine Futrill from Claines, said her daughter, who is a pupil at Northwick Manor Junior school, had always dreamed of being in The Nutcracker.

"Her dreams really have come true as she has wanted to be in the production since she first saw it when she was just three-years-old," she said.

"She's very, very chuffed and very excited."

Amy, who has been dancing since she was three and is now a member of the Birmingham Royal Ballet Junior Associates, has won a string of titles over the last few years, including being named British Champion for ballet and modern dance when she was only six.

Straight after her appearance in The Nutcracker she will be on stage again in this years Kays Theatre Group production of Robinson Crusoe at the Swan Theatre in January.

Joining Amy on stage at the Hippodrome will be fellow Northwick Manor Junior school pupil - 10-year-old Thomas Edwards from Aconbury Close.

Thomas' dad Ken said Thomas, and his twin sister, also called Amy, had been dancing ever since they had been to watch their older sister Emily dance when they were four.

"He does ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and modern and he enjoys it very much," he said.

"He has won many trophies and awards over the years and it is definitely something he wants to pursue professionally.

"We have already started the application process for the London Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst School for Dance in Edgbaston."

Ken added that Thomas was especially pleased he had made it into the cast for The Nutcracker as the last two years he has been unable to appear in the local Kays Theatre pantomime with his fellow Harlequin dancers.

"The problem is that there are rarely dancing parts for boys in these things so he hasn't been able to do it for the last two years," he said.

"He can't wait for his appearances at the Hippodrome and all the family, including relatives from Bristol, are looking forward to seeing him."

In each of its 12 Christmas repertory seasons at the Birmingham Hippodrome, The Nutcracker has achieved optimum audience figures, usually selling out weeks in advance.

The production has been performed 180 times in Birmingham to date and has seen performances by Darcey Bussell as the Sugar Plum Fairy in 1991 and Irek Mukhamedov as the Prince in 1994.

Based on a tale by Hoffman, the story of The Nutcracker has inspired several choreographers since the first production by Lev Ivanov.

The harmonious mix of music, magic and dance has roused the talents of George Balanchine, John Cranko and Rudolf Nureyev.

The enchanting story of Clara's adventures with her Nutcracker doll, Rat King and the Sugar Plum Fairy remains an exquisite seasonal feast.

Tickets to see The Nutcracker cost from £11 to £40 and are available from the box office on 0870 730 1234 or www.birmingham hippodrome.co.uk

Messiah on stage

WORCESTER Cathedral will resound with the voices of Worcester Festival Choral Society when it performs Handel's most famous and popular work, Messiah, tomorrow night.

The annual event is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit and for many is the sign that Christmas has really begun.

Conductor and musical director of the choir, Adrian Lucas, said: "In the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, it's good to remind ourselves of the Christmas story and to give ourselves the time to sit back and enjoy a timeless musical masterpiece."

Soloists are ex-King's School pupil, soprano Eleanor Doodey, alto Harriet Goodwin, tenor Wilhelm Theunissen, and bass Jonathan Saunders.

Accompanying them will be Westminster Chamber Orchestra.

Tickets for the 7.30pm concert are available from 01905 640845, 01905 726311 or wfcs4tickets@aol.com

It's panto time (oh yes it is!)

Here's a complete list of pantos playing at theatres across the region:

Jack and the Beanstalk, January 6-8, 12-15, 19-22. Norbury Theatre, Friar Street, Droitwich. Tel 01905 770154.

Aladdin starring Alan Fletcher, Andy Collins, Nicole Davies, Steve Hewlett and Pongo and James Biddlecome. December 16 until January 9, Malvern Festival Theatre, Tel 01684 892277.

Cinderella starring Jack Wild. December 10 until January 1. Swan Theatre, The Moors. Tel 01905 611427.

Robinson Crusoe. January 11-22. Kays Theatre Group. Tel 01905 420083

Sinbad. January 21- 29. Monday Night Group, Stourport Civic Centre, Stourport. Tel 01299 825170.

n Sleeping Beauty. December 3 until January 15. The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Tel 01242 572573.

Mother Goose. December 3 until January 8. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury. Tel 01684 295074

Aladdin. December 6 until January 3. Palace Theatre Redditch. Tel 01527 65203/68484.

Jack and the Beanstalk starring Joe Pasquale, Letitia Dean and Don Maclean. December 21 until January 30. Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham. Tel 0870 730 1234.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. December 4 until 11. Rose Theatre, Broadwaters, Chester Road North, Kidderminster Tel 01562 743745.

Cinderella. December 18 until February 20. The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. Tel 01902 429212.

Grease. December 13 until January 15. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Tel 0121 643 5536.

Go to stuff the turkey

STUFF The Turkey is a show guaranteed to make you laugh and sing and it is coming to Huntingdon Hall for its last ever annual Christmas outing on Tuesday, December 14.

Artisan's unique vocal harmony and sense of humour are given a free-rein in the show, taking the audience on a journey through Christmas customs and traditions.

Contemporary songs sit side by side with specially written ones, downright silly ones, and the odd few to make you ponder.

Artisan's songs have a distinctly Yorkshire slant and quirky sense of humour and their presentation is upfront and personal.

Tickets for the show cost £10 (£9 concessions) and are available from the box office on 01905 611427.