0:00:02 > 0:00:08The annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the biggest showcase for Highland dancing in the world.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12For four weeks the Tattoo takes place before a nightly live audience of 9,000 people
0:00:12 > 0:00:16and to millions of television viewers worldwide.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Dance troops from all over the world have taken part
0:00:19 > 0:00:23but never from Northern Ireland, until now.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26This year a group of girls from Ulster will be given an opportunity
0:00:26 > 0:00:30to take part in this spectacular event.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33The only problem is, that group doesn't actually exist yet.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Rachel, that's lovely. Hands a bit closer together, Rebecca.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Highland dancer and teacher Georgina Kee is the girl
0:00:40 > 0:00:44with the task of bringing the group together.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And, from Scotland, Tattoo dance director Billy Forsythe
0:00:46 > 0:00:50is the man with the power to pull it apart.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Bad news, I'm not going to take all 21.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55The standard, at the moment, is just not there.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57One, two, three, four. Two, two.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02So, which girls possess the dedication and the fancy footwork to catch Billy's expert eye?
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Up together, down together.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07They'll have to pull out all the stops
0:01:07 > 0:01:11if they really are going to make their Edinburgh Tattoo debut.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Georgina Kee has come to Edinburgh.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26She has a meeting with Billy Forsythe.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Twice world champion, and dance director of the Tattoo for 20 years,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31he sets his standards high.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35But Georgina already knows the drill.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39By joining Billy's Scottish dance troupe at the age of 14,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43she became the first dancer from Northern Ireland to perform at the Tattoo
0:01:43 > 0:01:45and did so for four years.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Right, Georgie, you've done this before, you know the story.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53There's a possibility we might be able to use a group from Ulster.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Do you think there will be enough dancers?
0:01:56 > 0:02:00I think there will be when you put together all the dance schools.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02There's Donegal, there's Drumquin and there's Enniskillen.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07I think if we cover a good enough area and enough of the dance schools,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11I think there will be interest there because all the girls, obviously, look up to the Tattoo.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15They're already interested in it. I don't know if they ever thought, "I'll ever get the chance to dance."
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The commitment has to be absolute.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20The standard of dancing has to be a good standard.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25If we can get that, I think we can probably do something.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30Georgina is well aware of the hard road that lies ahead for any young Ulster dancer
0:02:30 > 0:02:34who gets the chance to perform on the famous Castle Esplanade.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38It's tough. It's physically tough, it's really demanding on your body.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41But this is the perfect example, it is blowing a gale, it's lashing with rain
0:02:41 > 0:02:45and, if this was August, the Tattoo would go ahead.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47The show has never been cancelled.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52There is 9,000 people watching every show, down there on the tarmac.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55It's just mad. It is a crazy thought but so exciting.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I'm so excited for the girls as well.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Bready is a small hamlet just outside Strabane.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The Sollus Centre is the hub of local activity.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11One, two, three, one, two, three.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Up, up, up, up, up!
0:03:13 > 0:03:16'A lot of this community would associate themselves
0:03:16 > 0:03:17'as being Ulster Scots.'
0:03:17 > 0:03:20We've always had strong Ulster Scots music connection in Bready.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23There's always been pipes and drums and drum majors in Bready.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28More recently there's been a large dance school of Highland dancers in Bready, as well.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Highland dancing is not strictly a tradition from the lowlands of Scotland,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34from where the Ulster Scots originated.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Nonetheless, it is extremely popular in this province
0:03:37 > 0:03:43and among these 21 girls, who have gathered from several Highland dance schools in West Ulster.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Over the next few months they will train as one group
0:03:46 > 0:03:52in preparation for the all-important Tattoo auditions with Billy Forsythe.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56But their fitness levels need to be seriously improved
0:03:56 > 0:04:00as they will have to perform seven shows every week during the month of August.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The sooner you do it right, the less you'll need to do it.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Georgina has recruited dance tutors from Scotland to help her
0:04:06 > 0:04:10put the girls through a gruelling training regime.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15Among those chasing their dream are sisters Jill and Joanne Thompson.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Together, together, and turn.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24At home, on the family farm,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27the girls have ventured out to the farmyard for their practise sessions.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31When we go to practise in the house, me and Joanne,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34my mum will shout up, "Keep the noise down," or something.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38So, we'll have to try and go somewhere else.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Just always seems to be a problem with where we go.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45You don't want to dance because my dad would be there, watching the TV. So, we just come outside.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Then, we realised it will help us for the Tattoo
0:04:47 > 0:04:52because we will be dancing on like ground, cement, tar, anything, on the slope.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56So, we just need to get as much practise as we can on it and get used to it.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Together, together.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01To check that your knees are turned out.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Record yourself, or get someone else to record you.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Or do it in front of a mirror, or something that shows your image, so you can see for yourself
0:05:07 > 0:05:09if you're improving.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Yeah, and turn.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Good.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18You can see that my right leg is worse than what my left leg is.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22See the way your supporting foot needs just a bit more work.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- We have to buck up our ideas if we do want to be in this Tattoo.- Yeah.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28If we want to go forward
0:05:28 > 0:05:32because if we are not up to standard Billy will just drop us, I know that.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Because Georgina is always stressing this, that he will just tell us, no.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Slide, slide, hop, one, two, three.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Having been brought together from dance schools in Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and Fermanagh,
0:05:47 > 0:05:53the girls are unfamiliar with one another, as well as with this new style of dancing.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56'They have to dance as a team, they have to dance together
0:05:56 > 0:05:58'and that's something Highland dancers aren't trained to do.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03'A lot of them are used to dancing on their own, they're used to doing Highland dance competitions
0:06:03 > 0:06:07'whereas, now they have to think about another 19, 20 girls.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:14As you can see here, the dancers come together and create formations and grips,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16like here they have made a boat.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I don't know yet what the theme's going to be for this year
0:06:18 > 0:06:23but there will be a new attitude towards looking where you are in relation to other people,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27and dancing with maybe 30, 40, 50 other dancers.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Very, very challenging. Sore legs for the month of August
0:06:31 > 0:06:33is basically how it is.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Some of the girls, for example like Kathryn, they have other things to work with,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40and that's their shyness.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42We have to make her strong, we have to get her really confident
0:06:42 > 0:06:45and mix with the rest of the group.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50Georgina's great. I was just doing dancing because I just did it.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53But now I actually love doing it and she's definitely pushed me.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Everybody is supporting me along the way.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00So, as long as I just focus on my faults everything should be fine.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05But neither Kathryn, Jill, Joanne, nor the 18 other dancers,
0:07:05 > 0:07:09have yet secured a place on the Tattoo team
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and the auditions are drawing ever closer.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Well, we know they want at least 15 dancers.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Hopefully, we can get more than that in.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20At the end of the day, it's down to Billy Forsythe.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It just depends who impresses him and who doesn't.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Whatever happens on the day that's the one thing that's just out of my hands.
0:07:31 > 0:07:38Auditions, no entry. I've got a thing about the word auditions.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I always call it a selection meeting. It always sounds better.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45If you do it naturally, that's what I am looking for.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48The girls have been hearing the name Billy Forsythe time and time again
0:07:48 > 0:07:50during the past few months.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Now, at last, he's here
0:07:52 > 0:07:56and he's holding their Tattoo dream in the palm of his hand.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59You're going to have an audience of 200,000 people live watching you dance
0:07:59 > 0:08:02and they want to see how you react when you dance.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I'm not looking for somebody who's won 25 championships.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08What I'm looking for is people who enjoy dancing.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26You're all far too worried. Keep going, go on.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29An audition is an audition. Some people get, some people don't. So, it's up to them.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30They put in the effort.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32# Dee, doo-pen, dee-dee Doo-pen, dee. #
0:08:36 > 0:08:39He's lovely, he's a really nice man. He can be very scary,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43but as long as you keep on the right side of him he's lovely.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52He might want to think and ponder over a few for a while, I don't know.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54He's the boss, his decision's always final.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00I wanted to have another look at Joanne and Kathryn.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09I don't want to turn them down but I don't know if you've got time to...
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Aye, work on it.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23I could take these three, but I would be dubious about them
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- at the moment, to be honest.- Right.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27But there's a possibility...
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Why not put that to them? Say you're a yes, for now.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Bad news, I am not going to take all 21. I'm sorry, girls,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40but I can't do it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Becky, we're OK. Claire, we're OK.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Naomi, happy.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Gemma, fine.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Lynn, fine.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Hannah, OK.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08I've got six others,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10three of them - Joanne,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Kathryn and Julie.
0:10:15 > 0:10:22I'm not convinced completely of because there's a lot there that needs sorted out,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25but I'm happy to give you the chance. You're going to have to work hard.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30It was just very tense, to start off with because we did make a few mistakes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36Then you just had to prove yourself and be confident and then she just got emotional.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I'll be hugging you all night.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43And that leaves three of us.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48And I'm sorry girls but we're not going to be able to take you.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50The standard, at the moment, is just not there.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58It's official. West Ulster Total Dance is born.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Billy has chosen the core members of his team, who gather on the walls of Londonderry for a publicity shoot.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Smile.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09'There are going to have to be one team rather than four different dance schools.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Toe, heel, toe and turn.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17'There's a few girls who are as young as 12 and they'll be turning 13 during the Tattoo.'
0:11:17 > 0:11:20The oldest girl is 18, Jill from Bready.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23So, I'm counting on her to help out and guide the younger ones as well.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27They're going to have to be working together, they're going to have to make new friends.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29They're going to have to live together for a month.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33It's an exciting time for the girls who have been chosen,
0:11:33 > 0:11:38but others will have to up their game to secure their place on this team.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I definitely should be practising a lot more.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I don't practise enough and my mum, she's trying to push me.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48To push me in the right direction.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52She's doing her warm-ups, just some pas de bas and high cuts,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55just part of her warm-up routine.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Billy Forsythe will be back in two months. Kathryn needs to impress.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05We don't get practising every day but we do try most days.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Some days it's really annoying because she's like you need to walk,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12you need to keep yourself fit, you need to practise that, get your toes out.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18You know, jump bit higher, keep those arms straight. It's really annoying.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- It's for your own good.- I know!
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- I'm my own worst critic, but she's like the second... - I'm critical too, yes.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Yes, she's a wee bit slow at picking up the steps,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39she's not as confident but something like the Edinburgh Tattoo
0:12:39 > 0:12:42could be brilliant for a young girl like that.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44That could bring that girl out of her shell
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and give her the confidence that she needs.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I'm just heading to the Donegal, at the minute.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I teach a class in Cully Orange Hall on a Wednesday.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04There's four girls in the Donegal class
0:13:04 > 0:13:06that are heading to the Tattoo as part of the team.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09They're quiet, shy, nice wee polite girls,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12but they're all great dancers and all really dedicated to their dancing.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14One, two, one, two, three.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16One, two, one, two, three.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Sisters Sarah-Ann and Lynn McElhinney
0:13:19 > 0:13:23put heart and soul into their Highland dancing.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27They've even persuaded their father to allocate them a dance studio in the house
0:13:27 > 0:13:30although, there's a bit of a family issue over the size of the mirrors.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33He didn't want to buy really dear mirrors
0:13:33 > 0:13:37in case we weren't going to use the room so we got these ones.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40We couldn't get ones that were long enough for the whole body
0:13:40 > 0:13:43so, we put them down so we could see our feet
0:13:43 > 0:13:45and then we have this mirror here
0:13:45 > 0:13:47if we want to look at our hands, to make sure they're OK.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Are they saying I'm a cheapskate?
0:13:52 > 0:13:56The mirrors were over 200 euro until I know you're going to use the room
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I'm not going to pay 200 euro for no mirror.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01They have proven to me,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03I suppose they do use the room and still haven't got no mirror.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05But I think there'll be a mirror on the wall
0:14:05 > 0:14:08when they come back from Edinburgh.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Jill and Joanne's mother, Janeen, is going to the Tattoo as a chaperone.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19She's looking forward to it.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23But she's a little anxious as Jill's place is confirmed but not Joanne's.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Joanne was a wee bit uneasy at the time.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I think it was just nerves that got her in the first place.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35She'll get there and she has improved in her dancing quite a lot.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Jill, how many dance classes do you have on Joanne?
0:14:40 > 0:14:43The uncertainty and the waiting will soon be over,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45as Billy is due back today.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49I'm feeling pretty fine right now but as Billy approaches the hall
0:14:49 > 0:14:53I will be feeling a bit more nervous because we know now,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57as the last time he was here he told three girls that they couldn't go.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01We've been working hard since Billy's last been here,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04so I don't think, hopefully not, that no-one will get turned down.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09One, two, three, four.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Pivot, pivot, pivot, go!
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Billy's return has Georgina on edge as well.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21A wee bit nervous but they've all worked hard and I've prepared them for everything,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24but sometimes nerves can get the better of people.
0:15:24 > 0:15:2815 of the girls are sure of their places,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30but will these three get to join them?
0:15:30 > 0:15:36There is a chance that someone might not be going
0:15:36 > 0:15:39but everybody's put in 100% and if they're not going
0:15:39 > 0:15:43it's just because either they had a bad day
0:15:43 > 0:15:46or just something wasn't working out for them.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54Afternoon, girls. Oh, don't sound so enthusiastic.
0:16:21 > 0:16:230K, girls, thank you.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27From what I've seen today, the girls that I did
0:16:27 > 0:16:32have a slight question mark the last time...
0:16:32 > 0:16:36I am quite happy to take you to Edinburgh, have you as part of the team
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and make sure that you do a good job over there.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I'm over the moon since all three of us got the opportunity to go now.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50So, we're all going as a team. It's all good.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18The big day is here and the members of West Ulster Total Dance arrive in Edinburgh,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20all kitted out in their new team gear.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25It's an exciting business moving into what will be their home for the next five weeks
0:17:25 > 0:17:28in the university halls of residence.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31From now on life is going to be all about dance.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36One week of intensive rehearsals and four weeks of performance.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41They'll be drilled to the highest level from dawn until dusk, every day.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50It's early morning. The troops are on the move and so are the girls.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53At their first rehearsal at Redford Barracks,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Billy Forsythe assumes a much tougher, less forgiving role.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02Left, right, left, right, line, where's the line?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Arms up together and down together.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08The full dance troupe comprises the girls from West Ulster
0:18:08 > 0:18:10plus 32 dancers from Scotland.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Billy has just one week to get everyone in step.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Georgina is also turning up the heat.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25The whole theme of the dance is basically around the sea
0:18:25 > 0:18:27and fish and fishermen and the fishing industry.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30And these dancers act as if they are shoals of fish.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33You will see all the different costumes all mixed up.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35All the bright colours.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38And then, for the next part, they are going to actually make the shape,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40like the basic shape of a fish.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45These front dancers will act as like the point of the body,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- then the back group as the tail. - OK!
0:18:53 > 0:18:58As rehearsals progress it becomes clear that the complex choreography
0:18:58 > 0:19:03is far removed from the more traditional style of Highland dancing that the girls are used to.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Joanne, for one, is feeling distinctly uncomfortable
0:19:07 > 0:19:09about performing a fish wiggle.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14My legs cannot cope with the weight of my top half.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Just a struggle with my legs.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24I don't like it at all. It's stupid. And it's...narrgh.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32Well, this year there is quite a few steps that aren't necessarily proper Highland.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35People think Highland dancing is stuck in a bit of a rut.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39So, I think it's an effort to pull it back up into like a modern audience thing, really.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41I think some of it's lovely.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45I'm not so fond of wiggling down being a fish, but I don't have to do it.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48BAND PLAYS
0:19:54 > 0:19:57As rehearsals move out into the courtyard of the barracks
0:19:57 > 0:20:00the girls get to meet some of their fellow performers.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Spectating over and another run through.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13These practise sessions are becoming more and more demanding.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18And back, Kelly back. Lauren, move forward.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Sadly Georgina isn't able to stay for the opening night
0:20:21 > 0:20:23due to work commitments back in Ulster.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27But before she leaves she needs to feel certain that her girls
0:20:27 > 0:20:29will be at the top of their game for the big night.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31They probably feel it now,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35you can see some of them looking at you, giving wee looks as if to say, "My feet are killing me."
0:20:35 > 0:20:39They'll probably be sore tomorrow. You just have to harden your muscles.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Despite atrocious weather Billy leaves everyone in no doubt
0:20:42 > 0:20:45that the show must go on.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52While Tattoo producer Brigadier David Allfray arrives with some words of encouragement.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- And it's about straight lines, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57When we march it is exactly the same principle.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01- Looking out of the side of your eyes. Looking that way.- Yeah.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Really challenging. Easy to say, difficult to do.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16The end of another long, hard day
0:21:16 > 0:21:20and the girls return exhausted to their halls.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28But chaperone Janeen knows how to lift their sagging spirits.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31These are the new T-shirts that have been brought out specially for the Tattoo.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2011.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37On the back it has got 11 and, as you'll notice,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40it says on here West Ulster Total Dance Company.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42ALL CHEER
0:21:51 > 0:21:56At last the girls arrive for their first rehearsal on the Castle Esplanade.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00It's amazing, it's class, it really is, fantastic.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05I'm gobsmacked, it is nothing like I expected.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12I didn't think it was going to be this big and now that we're all here, it's massive.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17With Edinburgh's imposing castle towering over them
0:22:17 > 0:22:22it all suddenly seems a very far cry from practising back home in their bedrooms.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26I think there's about 9,000 people in here watching us.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29To think we're going to be dancing in a full stadium is absolutely amazing.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Kind of nervous, but it's going to be class.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48It's been absolutely terrific having the Irish girls here
0:22:48 > 0:22:50because they have been so nervous.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53I knew that would happen, I warned them it would happen.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57When they get here this is such a big event and they suddenly realise
0:22:57 > 0:23:02they're not just one little group of dancers, they're part of a whole team
0:23:02 > 0:23:08on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in front of 200,000 people live
0:23:08 > 0:23:12and probably 100 million around the world, later on in the year, on television.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27August 5th. The day of reckoning has dawned.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32And for Kathryn, especially, it's time to see whether all her hard work has finally paid off.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37At the start and whenever Billy came over for the first time
0:23:37 > 0:23:40he had a few concerns about me and a few other girls.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45I knew that I had to fight harder than the rest of the girls because I had a lot more to prove.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50But I really think I've proven myself now and I think now I know what's here
0:23:50 > 0:23:54and what's happening and there's really no turning back now, tonight.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07There are mixed emotions for Georgina.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10She's travelled a long, hard road with these girls,
0:24:10 > 0:24:15but she won't be here to help them through the nerves and excitement of their first performance.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17'To a certain extent my job is done.'
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Me going away and leaving them, yes, I feel guilty, but...
0:24:21 > 0:24:24it will probably be the making of them as mature dancers.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Five, step and six.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29They've just put in so much hard work, they've...
0:24:30 > 0:24:36I'm just really proud of the girls and what they've done.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39And it will pay off for them and everyone will be proud, too.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04With the audience taking their seats, the 61st Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
0:25:04 > 0:25:06is about to get underway.
0:25:09 > 0:25:16Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 2011 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Some people are nervous, other people are very excited,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51some people are really giddy but we're all pretty excited.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:26:09 > 0:26:13From the local hall in Bready to the Tattoo arena in Edinburgh,
0:26:13 > 0:26:18for West Ulster Total Dance the dream is about to come true.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Tonight our Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Highland dancers
0:26:24 > 0:26:28and West Ulster's Total Dance group.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49It's like a...it's amazing out there.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- Went really well.- Brilliant.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02- Brilliant.- Amazing. I'm buzzing, such a good mood.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03It's amazing.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06The atmosphere and everything was just class.
0:28:06 > 0:28:12Your heart was in my mouth, which I was really excited to do it. It was the best feeling, it really was.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Until you see it you never know if it's going to work.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16That one definitely worked.
0:28:16 > 0:28:24Ladies and Gentlemen, the cast of the 2011 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:53 > 0:28:57E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk