Fife Ballet Company coach Alice Mackinnon is bringing together some of the top ballet dancers in the local community to perform a classical rendition of The Nutcracker this Christmas.

Dancers auditioned to earn a spot in the company in July, and since then, the girls have been rehearsing numerous times a week to put on an elegant showcase of classical ballet, which will be performed at Dunfermline High School on Saturday, December 2.

The girls, along with their coach Alice, have been working incredibly hard to put together a professional standard show. All the dancers are aged between six and 17, and come from the Fife and Edinburgh areas.

Dunfermline Press: Dancers go through their moves in rehearsals for The Nutcracker.Dancers go through their moves in rehearsals for The Nutcracker. (Image: Fife Ballet Co.)

Nine-year-old Iona McMillan said: "It’s been lots of fun and I’ve made lots of new friends and I’m really excited for the Nutcracker performance."

Niamh Cockburn (10) added: "I enjoy rehearsals because ballet is my dream job. It has feels like me dreams have come true."

Another 10-year-old, Lucy Rowbotham, can't believe the show is so close and doesn't want rehearsals to end as she's enjoying every minute of it.

She said: "I love going to rehearsals. It’s a great experience and it has helped be to become really confident. Miss Alice has been amazing and makes things so much fun. She explains our moves really well."

Dunfermline Press: Everyone is putting in lots of practice to ensure they put on the best show possible.Everyone is putting in lots of practice to ensure they put on the best show possible. (Image: Fife Ballet Co.)

The project has brought together dancers from numerous local dance schools, resulting in new friendships and a sense of community at their rehearsals.

Some of the costumes have been custom-made by tutu designer Judith, at Simply Lovely Tutus, as well as by costume mistresses Jen McMillan and Caroline Mitchell-Weymss.

Many others have been hired for the production from Dalgety Bay-based business Ballet Deluxe

Jen said: "With a limited budget, and so many dancers and costumes changes across the production, it’s been great fun being creative to make sure the girls shine and sparkle on stage."

Dunfermline Press: Many volunteers have been helping create costumes, props and the set for The Nutcracker.Many volunteers have been helping create costumes, props and the set for The Nutcracker. (Image: Fife Ballet Co.)

Many parents, siblings, grandparents and cousins of cast members have generously volunteered to help design and craft costumes, props and set.

Alice said that everyone had pulled together as a community and she could not be more grateful for everyone’s kindness and support.

Remaining tickets for The Nutcracker at Dunfermline High School on Saturday, December 2, are available at www.fifeballetco.net.