A TEENAGER who could not dance two years ago has been accepted into the world's oldest theatre training school.

Matthew Davidson will be going to London’s Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts to master his tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary dance steps.

The 16-year-old will also work on professional level singing, acting and other stage skills like aerial work after first learning the ropes at Warrington’s StagePro Academy.

Matthew, from Lowton, was in the middle of an audition at StagePro when he found out he had got the place.

He said: “My mum had opened the letter and rang me up. I tried to control my excitement but other people from StagePro were there that knew what the phone call and the grin on my face meant.

“I was over the moon that all the work I had put in had paid off.”

Matthew joined StagePro two years ago and quickly went from a beginner to one of the academy’s most promising students.

He trains six hours a week in a tap, ballet and jazz class on Tuesdays and a performing arts senior class on Saturdays.

The former Lowton CE High School pupil added: “I've picked up a lot from attending StagePro.

“Two years ago I couldn't dance at all but it's not just skills I've picked up.

“I've built up confident in myself and my ability and I've made friendships and most importantly had a lot of fun there.”

Matthew, whose dream role would be Joseph in the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, wanted to tread the boards since his nan took him to a production of Cinderella when he was five.

He said: “I was mesmerised by the performer and by the end I knew I wanted to give it a go.

“Since then I've trained and trained and eventually I hope to make someone else feel that inspired by my performing.”