0:00:19 > 0:00:22These three brothers have a passion for ballet.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27They come from Liverpool and unlike most of their friends,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29they love to dance.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38And now they're facing the most important summer of their lives.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Jamie, the eldest at 13, lives away from home
0:00:43 > 0:00:45at one of the country's top ballet schools.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Can he cope with homesickness
0:00:47 > 0:00:50and keeping up with the rigorous training?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Everyone here has been homesick really bad.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55It's hard sometimes. I say I want to come home
0:00:55 > 0:00:58and my mum goes, "But you've worked so hard to get there."
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Michael has to make a big decision. Should he follow Jamie's example
0:01:06 > 0:01:08and try and win a place in ballet school,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- despite the taunts of bullies? - They think boys wear tutus
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and they do exactly the same as the girls.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17They don't actually have a clue.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22And the youngest, Adam, is trying to win a part
0:01:22 > 0:01:24in professional theatre productions,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28but it would mean leaving his family at just nine years old.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I want to use my life. I want to be something.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Dancing is a big, big, big part of my life.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39The huge dilemmas the brothers face this summer
0:01:39 > 0:01:41could change their lives forever.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43I've got to dance. Not that I want to - I've got to dance.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47It's make or break time for the ballet boys.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The boys' dance story began here at Elliot Clarke Theatre School
0:01:57 > 0:01:59when Jamie was causing his mum concern.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04Jamie literally did not fit in. Jamie was in trouble.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06I did kickboxing and complained that my feet were sore.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I did boxing and complained that my hands were sore.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11I did karate and complained, did football.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15I tried everything with him and he just didn't fit in.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19But when Jamie started dancing, something clicked.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22I stood there, I walked around in a circle, walked side to side,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25marched on the spot, got paper, scrunched it up,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28like it was a snowball, and threw it. And I loved it.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32He says, "I want to start dancing." I said, "Oh, do you?" He said,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35"I want to start dancing but I want to go somewhere where there's boys."
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Jamie's brothers went to classes with him
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and they tried all sorts of dance.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44But they fell in love with ballet.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47And all three seem to have a natural talent for it.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50If I didn't start dancing, I would just be sitting on couches,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53just watching football and I don't want to be like that.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Adam, who's nine, and Michael, who's 11, started coming to classes
0:02:57 > 0:02:59here three times a week.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Will you remember it for next time? Good.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03We're going to carry it on, guys.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06They look up to their older brother, but he no longer trains with them.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Jamie has moved on to bigger things.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12He's won a place at Elmhurst School for Dance.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15It's one of the top dance schools in the country
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and it will set Jamie on course for a professional dance career.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21But the training, which lasts eight years,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24is really tough, right from the start.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Some exercises you'll have are slow and it will ache the muscles,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and then some exercises you'll have fast, get you out of breath.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34By the end of the class, your legs are just shaking
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and you have to keep trying and trying and trying.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Once more! Bit quicker.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Jamie's now 13, but most people started here when they were 11.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46So there's a lot of catching up to do.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47When you're in a ballet class,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50the teacher will go round doing corrections,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53and you'll see what corrections they're giving to people
0:03:53 > 0:03:54and you think, "Am I doing that?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57"Where am I going wrong if I'm doing that? Why can't I feel that?"
0:03:57 > 0:04:00You're bouncing off and that's why you're landing there.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02That's better.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05On top of all this, Jamie has to live at the school, away from home,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and still has to do his normal school work.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Desmond Kelly helps run the school.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13He knows this is the start of a life of dedication.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Breakfast from 7.30am.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20They have to be in their first class after registration just after 8.30am
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and they work all day, with three quarters of an hour for lunch,
0:04:23 > 0:04:29until 6.05pm and then they go and do their prep, and that's hard.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33If you look at these boys here, they're probably sweating already
0:04:33 > 0:04:34and look, they're enjoying it.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Look at that! Wow! Yes! Good boy!
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Look at that double. That's called a double tour!
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Jamie's brothers, Michael and Adam,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45are hoping to follow in his footsteps
0:04:45 > 0:04:47and today is a big day for them.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50They need to pass an important audition.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53It's for a special scheme called the Cecchetti Programme.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Jamie did it and if his brothers also win a place,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00they'll get extra lessons from expert teachers.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04To succeed, they'll need to be at their very best.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08The students have to show they can perform dance moves in patterns
0:05:08 > 0:05:10set out by their teacher.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Demi-plie, to the back.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Two counts and bring it back to first.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21The moves have French names and it can all get very complicated.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Parallel feet facing the bar,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26and then turn on the other side,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28and there we have it.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Some of the exercises were all muddled up and some of the exercises
0:05:32 > 0:05:35I could do. It was difficult,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39but I just thought, give it a go, because the world won't stop.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47I had to concentrate, like, much more than I would in a normal class,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51obviously, because it's an audition and you want to get in.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Arms above your head and side.
0:05:55 > 0:06:01Overall, I don't actually know whether I'm going to get in or not.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03I'll have to wait and see.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12They'll get their results in a couple of days.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14If they fail, it will be a big setback
0:06:14 > 0:06:17because they're desperate to be as good as Jamie.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20All three boys know they have to try harder
0:06:20 > 0:06:23because their family doesn't have much money.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27For a boy from Jamie's background, studying at Elmhurst would normally
0:06:27 > 0:06:32be impossible because it's a private school and can be very expensive,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35but talented dancers like Jamie can win a scholarship,
0:06:35 > 0:06:39which means his family don't have to pay any fees.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44Jamie immediately struck me as being somebody special
0:06:44 > 0:06:49because, and this is really important, because of his passion.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51His passion for dance.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54He's absolutely determined to become a dancer.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I like all the fire in the belly.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01If you've got fire in your belly, you're going to make it as a dancer.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Use that hamstring,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05so the hips can stay square.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Boys learning ballet have to be very strong.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11When they're older, they'll have to lift ballerinas above their heads,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13which is incredibly difficult.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Jamie has never danced with a partner
0:07:16 > 0:07:20but in class today, he'll be asked to try it for the first time
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and the pressure's on because one of the school's directors
0:07:23 > 0:07:24will be watching.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Back in Liverpool, it's time for Michael and Adam
0:07:27 > 0:07:29to pick up the results of their audition.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32I believe Hayley might have your Cecchetti results.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36There you go.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Let's go over there. Go over there.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Both in the same envelope.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- What if it's a no? - We'll still read it.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- What will you do?- I'll cry.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Will you? Will you audition again next year?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Yeah.- Or not?- Give me the results!
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Ooh, it's on one piece of paper.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Can I read it?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Let him read it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04"Following the recent auditions,
0:08:04 > 0:08:09"the boys are awarded a scholarship for the coming year."
0:08:09 > 0:08:16- Sick!- You got a scholarship as well. - Sick! Oh, sick!- Yeah, that's cool.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18This is great news for the boys.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22They have won extra free tuition. That means even more dancing.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Although they seem to dance everywhere and anywhere
0:08:25 > 0:08:28they go especially when they are together.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Adam in particular is always performing.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Woo! Woo!
0:08:33 > 0:08:35He really does think life is a stage.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- Boys.- Ah!
0:08:38 > 0:08:44He goes, "I want that one," and does a pirouette and goes, "That one."
0:08:44 > 0:08:47And this is a daily shop.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50He starts using the bar at the pizza place as a ballet bar.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I've been trying to choose what fish he wants to eat for tea.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55It is funny. It is funny.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Shall we stop early?- Woo!
0:08:58 > 0:09:02To me, that says it is in him. To me it says...
0:09:02 > 0:09:05that's what he wants to do because you can't force a child to do that.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09And even at school, dancing is never far from his mind.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I'm always like, "I can't wait till dancing,"
0:09:11 > 0:09:16and we're always pestering me mum, "Can we go an extra night?"
0:09:16 > 0:09:21Ballet is a big, big, big part of my life
0:09:21 > 0:09:22and I really love it.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Bend, and again.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27And stretch those knees.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Two. And three.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33The extra tuition he has won will help Adam develop as a dancer,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36but for a nine-year-old, he already knows a lot about
0:09:36 > 0:09:37the technical side of ballet.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Oh, yes, this arabesque,
0:09:40 > 0:09:46you've got to get your hips square, back up straight and your leg up,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48and arms out gentle,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50and that's good.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52That's called an arabesque.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Of course, Jamie learned all this years ago, but there are some things
0:09:56 > 0:10:00even he hasn't done, such as dancing with girls.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05He loves watching the older students who are already dancing in pairs.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08The difference between what I do and what they do is that theirs
0:10:08 > 0:10:12is a billion times harder. I've only got to focus on what I'm doing.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16I've got to focus on whether my arms are right, my body,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19but they have got to do all that with a girl as well.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22If they have one foot out of position, they could drop them.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25My ambition is to be anywhere near that standard.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29APPLAUSE
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Today, though, his teachers surprise him and give him the chance to see
0:10:33 > 0:10:36what it is like dancing with one of the school's top ballerinas.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Can you feel her weight?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44It was just really scary because you could feel where her weight was,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48and you could feel she's more secure in certain parts than in other.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51The girl is balanced on her toes and Jamie has to hold her
0:10:51 > 0:10:53to ensure she is safe.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Then he is meant to try and lift his own leg and stay balanced.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59If the ballerina fell or lost her balance,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01it would be really embarrassing for Jamie.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05He can hold her in position, but Jamie doesn't feel safe enough
0:11:05 > 0:11:07to lift his leg.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09No, no. No.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13When I had to put my foot back, it was like, no way, no,
0:11:13 > 0:11:18because I was too scared, in case she fell.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I don't know, it's really scary.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23But his teachers are very pleased with his efforts.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Very, very good. Very good.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28APPLAUSE
0:11:28 > 0:11:32I will get to dance with a partner in two years
0:11:32 > 0:11:34and then I will be doing things not as advanced as that,
0:11:34 > 0:11:39but starting to go do it and then hopefully progress to that.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Jamie goes home during school holidays.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45ALL: # Say it's just a dream. #
0:11:45 > 0:11:49As well as being brothers, the boys are great friends too
0:11:49 > 0:11:51and enjoy spending time together.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53# I am a crisp man
0:11:53 > 0:11:54# I am the crisp man
0:11:54 > 0:11:58# I give you free crisps today Hey, hey, hey. #
0:11:58 > 0:12:02When together, they make the most of the time they've got together.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- What's wrong with you, man? - I say that.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06(You're really naughty.)
0:12:06 > 0:12:08They make the most of the time they've got together.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12They are quite touchy, feely, they are quite huggy.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Jamie is also very supportive of his brothers' dancing.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Today, he is going with him to the Elliot Clarke School annual show
0:12:19 > 0:12:22in which Michael and Adam are both performing.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26# Da dee da dee da Dee da da dee da. #
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Afterwards, there is an awards ceremony for the best students
0:12:29 > 0:12:32this year and both boys have a chance of winning.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Well, I only ever thought
0:12:34 > 0:12:36it's just good to be nervous.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39A famous dancer said, "The day you are not nervous
0:12:39 > 0:12:42"before a big performance is the day you should stop."
0:12:42 > 0:12:46You should always be nervous and excited.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Darling, I'm just dead excited, darling.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Professional dancers have to learn to cope with an audience
0:12:53 > 0:12:57and for the two younger boys this is a taste of the real thing.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59There's a lot of pressure on Adam.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02He has a starring role in the show.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05He will be showing his ballet skills off in a dance version
0:13:05 > 0:13:06of Mary Poppins.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13But Adam is not just a dancer, he can also sing.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Any day now he expects to hear about an audition he went to for a part
0:13:17 > 0:13:18in a big musical.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22But for now, he is performing a solo of an Elvis Presley song.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25# Everybody in the hotel rock
0:13:25 > 0:13:27# Just dance to the jailhouse rock
0:13:27 > 0:13:31# Just dance to the jailhouse rock! #
0:13:31 > 0:13:33CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Adam's Elvis a triumph.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Now, it is Michael's turn and he too doesn't put a foot wrong.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42The boys get a real buzz from performing
0:13:42 > 0:13:44in front of a live audience.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47When everyone claps for you and you are standing there,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50and they paid to see you, it is a good feeling.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56But have either of the boys done enough over the year
0:13:56 > 0:13:58to win an award?
0:13:58 > 0:14:02The most prestigious award for Michael, Adam and their friends
0:14:02 > 0:14:03is the one for Best Boy.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Both brothers have a chance of winning it
0:14:05 > 0:14:09and it would be a reward for all the hours of hard work they have put in.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Michael is feeling nervous.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The fact that we are having an awards ceremony
0:14:13 > 0:14:17does bother me because if I got one, it would be good
0:14:17 > 0:14:19and if I didn't it would still be good,
0:14:19 > 0:14:24because I'm doing another show anyway.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25Should I wait?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40What was I saying?
0:14:40 > 0:14:42But Michael needn't have worried.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45He is the winner.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Thank you!
0:14:51 > 0:14:57- Did you enjoy it or not? Yeah? Yeah? - Stop it, you're ruining me hair!
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Got certificates, but never had a trophy.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04Not like in dance, anyway, so it feels cool.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08The award will boost Michael's confidence. He's struggled the most
0:15:08 > 0:15:11with people who think that ballet is something that's not very manly.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14It's been hard for him and he needs to decide
0:15:14 > 0:15:18whether he can ignore the bullies, carry on dancing and try and win
0:15:18 > 0:15:21a place at Elmhurst with Jamie.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26Boys what do football call us gay, but then they say it is not gay
0:15:26 > 0:15:29for girls to do football, which it isn't, but then it is gay for boys
0:15:29 > 0:15:32to do a more girlish type sport.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I mean, more girls do it than boys, but
0:15:34 > 0:15:37it's not more girlish because you have got to be dead strong.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42In Michael's school, dance largely means street dance, not ballet.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I feel like saying, well, dance is dance.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46It doesn't matter what shape or form.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51It is like plastic and calling it tuna or tomato, it's still plastic.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Toast, butter or no butter.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Dark, not dark, it's still toast.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02A boy whether he is gay or not gay, he is still a boy.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Most dance students are girls.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Being different and standing out from the crowd can cause people
0:16:08 > 0:16:11to be picked on and that's what's happened to all the brothers.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14If they can't stand up to the bullies,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18they will fail as dancers and so far, they have been very strong.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I said to my mate, "If you can give me one good reason,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24"what's wrong with doing ballet?" He goes, "Because it's gay,"
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and that's all he could say and I was like,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29"Personally, obviously, I don't think it is gay.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34"Apart from that, one good reason." And he couldn't think of one thing.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37If the worst thing someone could say about it is "Ah, you do ballet,"
0:16:37 > 0:16:39then that's saying quite a lot about us in a way.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43One incredibly successful dancer is Danny Dolan.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45These are so important when you're training.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48He overcame any worries about bullying, worked hard
0:16:48 > 0:16:51at his dancing and is now training with the most famous
0:16:51 > 0:16:54ballet company in the world, the Bolshoi in Russia.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56To Michael and Adam, he's a hero
0:16:56 > 0:16:59and today he is giving them a private lesson.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Because when you're doing this tour,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04all you have got to imagine is like a pencil. You are going up,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06you're turning round and you are coming down.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07Your body doesn't change at all.
0:17:07 > 0:17:13I did my exams like two years ago, and he lent me these.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16If he is that good, he can go to Russia, he must have magic
0:17:16 > 0:17:20in the shoes, so I wore them and I got the dance right when
0:17:20 > 0:17:25I wore them so there must have been magic in it and I got an extension,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29so if I hadn't of wore these, I wouldn't have got an extension.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32A distinction, not an extension.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35In a city like Liverpool, it is very hard at high school for the boys
0:17:35 > 0:17:40to openly say they do ballet because a lot of people see it over here
0:17:40 > 0:17:42as a girlie thing.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46So it's nice that they can stick up for each other, but the truth is
0:17:46 > 0:17:50you don't have to believe what those people say. If you enjoy it, do it.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Everyone thinks, "Oh yeah, ballet, it is girls in tutus,"
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- but in Russia, what's it like? - Honestly, it's the most manly thing.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59I have never met such manly men
0:17:59 > 0:18:02except for the people that I met at Bolshoi.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Danny is an inspiration and he's given the boys
0:18:05 > 0:18:07plenty to think about.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11Adam, though, soon has a huge change to deal with. He has finally got
0:18:11 > 0:18:15the news he has been waiting for and it's incredibly exciting.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18He's got the part he wanted in a Royal Shakespeare Company
0:18:18 > 0:18:21production called Matilda.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Rehearsals start tomorrow and he'll be living away from home
0:18:24 > 0:18:26for most of the next six months.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30What are you going to need? You'll need your dance shoes, won't you?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- You are not going to need dance shoes?- No.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- You are not going to do a dance rehearsal?- No.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- What are you going to do, then? - Just put them in.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I can't believe I'm letting my nine-year-old baby go,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43but when you watch him on stage and you watch him do it, you just think,
0:18:43 > 0:18:47you just want to. You are all gutted now about him going, aren't you?
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Do you think you will cry tomorrow?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- Probably.- I won't. I'm used to it.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54'When we say goodbye,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57'Michael will find it hard, probably go into one of his little strops.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00'My mum will be at the train station crying her eyes out,'
0:19:00 > 0:19:02and I'll either be like, "Ta-ra," and try
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and get it over and done really quick or I'll be really upset.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I'm not going to cry,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10but we'll all be upset, but also happy for him at the same time
0:19:10 > 0:19:12because it is what he wants to do.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Make sure you brush your teeth. No, listen.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19If I pick you up and I find maggots coming out of your teeth,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21you are not going back, OK?
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Adam will be staying in a house with other children in the production.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26He's nervous about leaving home
0:19:26 > 0:19:29to live with people he has never met before.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32I do not want to come home, but I will miss my mum and I will miss
0:19:32 > 0:19:35my brothers. I will be like this, "What if everyone hates me?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39"What if everyone this and that?" And my mum is like, "Calm down."
0:19:39 > 0:19:43And I'm like, "But what if this...?"
0:19:43 > 0:19:46But I'm dead excited, yeah.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48He will love the rehearsals.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50All the attention he is going to get.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52He will be absolutely amazing.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Stop it, darling, you're making me blush.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Stop it!
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I'll miss Michael walking into lamp posts,
0:20:00 > 0:20:05and I'll miss Jamie going like this. "Ah yes, I can do this."
0:20:05 > 0:20:09I'll miss me mum burning food.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13I will need a hug, so I will bring a photo of her and hug her at night,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16so I've always got her near me.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18I'm letting you go because I think this is going to be
0:20:18 > 0:20:20something fantastic for you.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Yeah, because they don't do burnt food.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25They don't do burnt food, no. But, you know, if any point
0:20:25 > 0:20:28you don't like it, no one is forcing you to stay there, OK?
0:20:28 > 0:20:32I won't want to come back, I'll miss you, but I won't want to come back.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Oi, mister! What do you mean, you won't want to come back?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Jamie knows what Adam will be facing.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41He's been living away from home for months.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44There is my room and...
0:20:44 > 0:20:45this is my room.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50This is my bed, my really comfy pillows.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55I've got two spaces for my suitcases and stuff.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I've got three drawers -
0:20:57 > 0:21:00bedding, pyjamas and dance stuff.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Jamie shares his room with Archie.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- Being away from home can be very tough.- I think it's fair to say
0:21:06 > 0:21:10at least everyone here has been homesick because I know that
0:21:10 > 0:21:12when I first came, I got quite homesick.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I used to call my mum like, every night,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18and it kind of... I thought there is no point in me calling my mum
0:21:18 > 0:21:21every night now, so I just call her every week now.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It's just easier.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26With Adam away in London, and Jamie at Elmhurst,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Michael will be on his own with his mum in Liverpool.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31When Jamie went, he went to pieces.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Adam cried. Michael mumbled.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36So what I need to do with Michael is just make sure
0:21:36 > 0:21:40that time that I've got with him, I find something that he can focus on.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44And Michael's focus is now the big decision.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Will he audition to get into Elmhurst?
0:21:47 > 0:21:49To help make his mind up, he's been having some private lessons.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Full rise, and into fourth.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Sometimes I look happy because whatever I'm learning, it's clicked.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00I'm confident with it. I know it and then I can just do it,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02but I'm concentrating, I'm figuring it out.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06I'm not bothered about this at that moment in time.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08I'm thinking, "What is it? Is it this?"
0:22:08 > 0:22:13And then, when it clicks, I'm fine then.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16We could just do with getting these a little bit straighter.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19As Michael wrestles with his decision, Adam is settling into
0:22:19 > 0:22:22the house he shares with the other young performers.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24They are in Stratford,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28where Matilda is being staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33I put a pile of snow from the car to the wall and then get behind it,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37but then he moved the car out just before I got into it.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Adam shares a room with three other boys.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I thought it would be like...
0:22:42 > 0:22:47happy and everything would be OK and I wouldn't miss home
0:22:47 > 0:22:53because it is only Mum, but when you actually do it, you miss your mum.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56You don't realise you actually do miss them.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00But despite missing his family, Adam is enjoying his time away.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04The children all work and play together and have plenty of time
0:23:04 > 0:23:06in between performances and rehearsals
0:23:06 > 0:23:08to be just like other children.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13We all get on. There's never arguments.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16We all get treated very well. We are all like kings and princesses here.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20But the children are here to work and the production team
0:23:20 > 0:23:24are always keen to help them be as good as they possibly can.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Someone told the Trunchbull I did it.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- I never and now she's after me. - Good. Really nice.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Shall we do it once more, Adam? Let's really play that fear factor
0:23:33 > 0:23:35because Trunchbull is scary, isn't she?
0:23:35 > 0:23:37On the first night, I was like,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41"What if I trip on the stage or what if I get my lines wrong?"
0:23:41 > 0:23:44But as soon as I went on there, all that went out of my mind
0:23:44 > 0:23:50and the dance came back to me and I just did it.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Hello. This isn't my room at all.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Hello, Trunchbull.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57Good, really nice.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Just think about making those sounds really clear.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- "Hello, MISS Trunchbull." - "Hello, Miss Trunchbull."- Great.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04I just love being on stage.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08I don't know what it is. It is just that feeling about it.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12It is like Christmas, if you get what I mean,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14but every night that you do it.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18I cannot believe how much my life has changed because at first
0:24:18 > 0:24:20I was at a normal dance school
0:24:20 > 0:24:26and then my dance teacher sent me to the audition and then here I am.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30And when she got up, her knickers stayed stuck to the seat!
0:24:30 > 0:24:31My life has changed a lot.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Back in Liverpool, Michael has decided
0:24:34 > 0:24:40he wants his life to change too. He is going to apply for Elmhurst.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Dance is making me happy.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Two arms, Michael. Two arms all the time.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48It has made me realise that
0:24:48 > 0:24:52not everything comes easy, because if I would have grew up
0:24:52 > 0:24:57thinking everything came easy, I would fall flat on my face.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02And a three, and a four. We go around.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Two, the front and stop.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08You have to train, really, really hard. You have got to work.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12You have got to earn that fish and chips instead of a load of veg.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15You have got to earn it.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Yeah, you have to, or a big pile of pie.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22The first person to find out about Michael's decision
0:25:22 > 0:25:24is Jamie who has come home for the weekend.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28I've been waiting all night long.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Look what he has got. Forms for your school.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32- Is that good or bad? - It's good.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35But filling in the forms is the easy part.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39You have to be one of the best, and that is just to get a place.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Then you need to boarding place and then I'll need a scholarship
0:25:43 > 0:25:47because obviously I can't pay. So...
0:25:47 > 0:25:49I need to stand out from everyone,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52not once, not twice, but three times.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55You know on the day, if you make a mistake, what are you going to do?
0:25:55 > 0:25:59- Blag it.- How are you going to blag it? What are you going to do?
0:25:59 > 0:26:03- With your face? - I'm going to use my face.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- How?- By smiling.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I will get in somewhere.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I will, but I don't know where. Hopefully, Elmhurst.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17It is coming to the end of a big year for Jamie, Michael and Adam.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19As a treat, their mum has brought the older brothers
0:26:19 > 0:26:22to see Adam in Matilda.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Michael is now determined to do his best and work as hard
0:26:25 > 0:26:28as he can to win an Elmhurst scholarship.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33I've had to practise flexibility and splits and all that,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35and things that they're looking to see if you can do,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38because if you can't do it, they can't help you.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41You have got to be able to have the stamina to do.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Jamie is happy to have settled in there.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49It feels a bit like home knowing everyone and how everyone is,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51and things like that and just knowing all the teachers.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55I think I've settled in quite well, hopefully, anyway.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58They are looking forward to seeing Adam's performance.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59I think he is going to be brilliant.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03I am so proud that he has got this far as well. I am so excited.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04I can't wait to see him.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09This is a huge test for Adam.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Some tickets cost more than £50.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Two hours later, they are celebrating watching
0:27:14 > 0:27:18a brilliant performance from Adam and the rest of the cast.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27And after the show, the family are reunited.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I'm really, really proud.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32I think that each and every one of those rehearsals
0:27:32 > 0:27:33has been absolutely worth it.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37All three of them have got really, really individual personalities
0:27:37 > 0:27:41and all three of them are going to go their different ways in life.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Whatever they decide, I will always be there to support them.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Do you know, it is just us four, isn't it? And that's all we need.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Pretend you like me, Adam, for two minutes.- I'll try!
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:06 > 0:28:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk