A REDDITCH dancer who has spent the last four years treading the boards around the world is to premiere a new show at the forthcoming Edinburgh Festival.

Ben Manners, 20, of Tredington Close, Woodrow, has teamed up with award-winning American dancers Joel Hanna and Mike Schulster to direct, choreograph and dance in the new show called Revolution.

Ben was first featured in the Advertiser as a 16 year old in 1999 when he was snapped up to perform in Spirit of the Dance - the sequel to Riverdance - and has been performing in that show all over the world since.

He was originally a pupil of the Sue Latham Dance School in Redditch and attended Arrow Vale Community High School.

But recently he has taken a new departure with Revolution and is currently in Vancouver, Canada, helping to put the show together.

Ben's dad, Keith Manners, said: "Ben's been back to Redditch about three weeks in four years, he's that busy.

"He decided to form a company with Joel Hanna and Mike Schulster, who are American dance champions, and put this show together.

"Since he was 16 he has been totally grown up and found this success all by himself.

"He is just such a brilliant dancer and I think this new show is going to be excellent."

Revolution promises to be an explosive dance show combining rock, flamenco, Irish and tap dancing, all to original music performed by a live band.

The show runs from August 4-25 at the Roxy Art House in Edinburgh and tickets are available from 0131 556 3102.