ERNIE Shorten, 16, from West Somerset, has successfully auditioned for the National Youth Dance Company based at Sadler’s Wells in London, writes James on work experience.

Ernie, a member of Porlock-based performance company, Stacked Wonky, will become the first dancer from Somerset in a decade to join the NYDC.

The young Somerset dancer succeeded in an audition process which involved over 400 dancers, including 70 who attended the final audition at Sadler’s Wells with the company’s new artistic director, Oona Doherty.

After a day of workshops and improvisation tasks, Ernie was told he would be one of 25 selected to form the new company.

In September, Ernie will begin a nine-month journey to create an original work with Oona Doherty, a rising star of the international contemporary dance scene, which will premiere at Sadler’s Wells in April 2024 before touring nationally.

Sarah Shorten, the artistic director of Stacked Wonky said: “Ernie has been a committed performer with Stacked Wonky since he was very young. Rather than focus on traditional technique, he’s been encouraged to improvise and devise his own movement style, which is often physically daring and nuanced.

“He’s a magnetic performer. His achievement is a source of real pride for Stacked Wonky, Porlock and West Somerset demonstrating it’s possible to rise without access to advanced training often only available in urban centres.”

Ernie will also be performing as part of the upcoming Greenwich and Docklands International Festival on September 9 and 10, in London, duetting with fellow Stacked Wonky Young Associate Stuart Pelling.

Their duet, 4 Minutes, has been described by critics as “young, gritty and ferocious” and “among the most intense, magnetic and uncompromising 4 minutes of performance I've ever seen”. This will be the first time that the festival has ever taken on work from under-18s.

Sarah Shorten said: “It’s a huge moment for the boys as it’s incredibly rare to witness a performance made by young artists break through on the national scene. They will have an opportunity to meet an array of international producers, thereby firmly putting West Somerset on the map as a centre of creative excellence.”

Ernie and Stuart are both Young Associates at Stacked Wonky - a programme designed to “super-charge the futures of young artists in West Somerset” and made possible by support from Hinkley Point C Community Fund.