Helensburgh girls impress audiences with Nutcracker show

Over 100 people attended the show in Cove Burgh Hall to see a cast of 17 girls - 13 of whom were aged 13 and under – perform Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet.

The girls represent Cardross Primary, Hermitage Primary, Kilcreggan Primary, Lomond School and Rhu Primary as well as schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dublin.

Created entirely by the girls, with minimal adult help, 12-year-old Heather and 10-year-old Hope Coates came up with the idea in early 2023 – and it didn’t take long for friends to sign up for the project.

Heather and Hope’s father, Jonathan Coates, said: “It was a really emotional night and the feedback we heard from members of the audience is that not only did they enjoy the show but they were in awe of the girls’ initiative.

“We asked some family friends to help out with costume, set design, music editing and logistics, and it was a real team effort – but the performance element of the show was managed entirely by the kids.

“Everything we did in terms of support was based on their vision and direction.

“I need to say a big thank you to all of the girls – and their parents – who believed in Heather’s vision and trusted her teaching.

“As well as an art form, dance is a great source of exercise and inspires a healthy lifestyle.

“I grew up in Kilcreggan so it meant a lot that the girls wanted to put on the show in Cove Burgh Hall, which is an amazing community facility.

“We had family travel from Ireland and England for the night, and we’re all so pleased that the show was a success and raised so much money for three great causes.”

Between ticket sales, raffle proceeds, and donations, the girls raised over £1350 for three charities chosen by Heather and Hope – the Malala Fund, Charity Water, and Glasgow-based Refuweegee.

At the end of the show, Heather – who worked as the choreographer and dance coach - received a bouquet of flowers from the youngest starlet, four-year-old Millie McLaughlin.

The youth dancers who took part were Vasilisa Perina-Miller (12), Heather Coates (12), Emmy Lawler (11), Olive Hughes (10), Freya Walker (8), Eleanor Barker-Humphreys (8), Sadie Ford (8), Josephine Coleman (8), Grace Edwards (8), Freyja Lynch (8), Hadley Hora (8), Millie McLaughlin (4) and Robyn Coleman (4).

Four senior performers – Richard Reeve, Aline Adams, Jennifer Hughes, and Lorna Dunn – also had roles, while Hope Coates, Elsa Coleman, Quinn Cowdry-Isaac, and Skye Jakulis supported the production as stagehands and Isla and Olivia Hier as hair/make-up artists.

(All photos by Natalia Yatskevich)