How do you get boys interested in ballet? The Royal Academy of Dance’s events – where boys act out scenes with Optimus Prime, Angry Birds and Star Wars instead of fairy tales characters – have resulted in a 16% rise in the number of boys taking ballet exams, says Patrick Sawer.
The grace and muscular athleticism of Rudolph Nureyev and Carlos da Costa made them global stars, revered by fans and critics alike.
And story of the miner's son from County Durham who went on to become a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, made Billy Elliot a film and musical sensation.
But it remains difficult to persuade young boys there's nothing soft or sissy about pirouettes, pas de deux and jetes... Keep reading on The Telegraph