DANCER Yvette Knight is looking forward to revealing her ‘naughty’ side when the Birmingham Royal Ballet bring Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet to the Lowry, Salford Quays, next week, writes John Anson.

“I’ll be playing a harlot,” says Yvette matter of factly, before collapsing into a fit of giggles.

“It’s going to be very good fun as it’s a role which also requires acting rather than just dance.”

The company’s week-long run at the Lowry will give Yvette, of Carnforth, the chance to head back north.

For the last eight years she has been a key member of the prestigious company and her role in Romeo and Juliet follows her busiest season to date.

“We did The Nutcracker on the last tour and I was fortunate enough to dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” she said. “I never dreamed I’d get such a role and although it was very demanding I loved it.

“This tour isn’t perhaps as stressful for me but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Yvette, 26, - who attended North Road Primary School - describes herself as ‘the typically annoying three year old’ before she went to dance classes at Carnforth Civic Hall.

From there she moved classes to Lancaster where she did different kinds of dance.

“I took part in some festivals as youngsters do,” she said, “but neither I nor my mum and dad ever thought about ballet school.

“It was others people who saw me dance at festivals who suggested that I should audition and I was fortunate enough to get into the Royal Ballet School when I was 11.”

Some young girls may have been put off with the prospect of having to move away from home at such an early age but Yvette said she was unphased by it all.

“I think I was just excited,” she said, “but now I feel really sorry for my mum who had to deal with her little girl moving away.”

Her bright future in dance nearly ended before it began when, three months into her first year, Yvette suffered a serious injury.

“At first they thought I had a fracture in my foot but it refused to heal,” she said. “It was diagnosed as Freiberg's Disease which although I didn’t know at the time, is extremely serious and I think they were worried I’d never dance again.

“It took a year but I recovered and touch wood since then I’ve never had a serious injury

Yvette spent five years at the Royal Ballet School before successfully transferring to the Upper School in London’s Covent Garden.

“At that point I suddenly realised I had to fend for myself which was a bit of a shock,” she said..

In her final year while studying for A levels, David Bintley, Birmingham Royal Ballet's artistic director came to the school looking to recruit new dancers to the company and Yvette was successful.

“I was so lucky,” she said. “I got the job before I finished my graduate year and I’ve been with the company ever since.

Yvette enjoys the varied programme that is a feature of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

“I’ve been very lucky to be given a variety of roles,” she said. “Quite a lot of them are ones which have involved acting as well as dancing and I think that has made me a better performer.”

Being a member of such a prestigious company demands dedication and constant hard work.

“When we haven’t got a show we will have classes from 10.30am to 6.30pm but even when there is a show we will have done warm ups for around three hours in the afternoon,” she said.

For the shows in Manchester, Yvette’s parents Mary and Alan will be in a fun role in the audience.

“I’m also hoping my friends can come along as they will get a chance to see me in a fun role.”

Romeo and Juliet, runs at the Lowry, Salford Quays, from Wednesday-Saturday, March 2-5.

Details from 0843-208-6000.