Twins to star in ballet

Twins to star in ballet

The twins have been dancing since they were eight

Idential twin brothers are to star in a West End children's ballet.

Matthew and Oliver Edwardson, 15, of Cottenham, Cambridge, will take the lead roles in the Prince and the Pauper put on by the London Children's Ballet next month.

The teenagers have been dancing since they were eight, and have both won places at London's Royal Ballet Upper School.

Denise Rhind of the London Children's Ballet said the company had put on a production featuring twin girls before, but never boys.

"It is hard to say for sure, but as far as we are aware they are unique."

Oliver (l) and Matthew want to become professional dancers

She said the teenagers' achievement was "tremendous".

"But they still have a long, long way to go before they could become major professional performers."

However, their mother Jenny Edwardson said the boys take practice seriously.

"There's never any problem getting them to dance - sometimes there is a problem getting them to do homework - but never to dance.

"Otherwise they are just normal schoolboys.

"They don't play football now for fear of getting hurt but they do play other sports just as other boys do."

And Oliver and Matthew are sure that professional ballet is the right career for them.

Oliver said: "I think it's not a normal job - it's a nice way to earn a living."