Emma Thompson lends helping hand with children’s ballet production of “Nanny McPhee”

London Children’s Ballet is a charitable trust that has been running for 20 years and gives children from all backgrounds, ages 9-16, the chance to learn, perfect, and perform the art of ballet. Their latest production will be based on the Nanny McPhee films, which starred Emma Thompson (Sybill Trelawney) as the title character.

The company unfortunately did not have the funds to gain the rights for said production, but Thompson – who also wrote the scripts for the films and had already seen a previous production by London Children’s Ballet – kindly agreed to help out with the show, with the backing of Universal Studios.

Lucille Briance, artistic director of the company, only had praise for Thompson and the help she has given, saying, “she is the most marvellous philanthropic person.”

The London Evening Standard reported that there were approximately 550 children who auditioned for a total of 60 parts. Fourteen-year-old Annabelle Adey from Surrey is to take the role of McPhee and claimed, “it’s such a big production and a much bigger stage than [she has] ever danced before. It’s like a dream.”

The production will run from April 24-27 at the Peacock Theatre, and Thompson will be in attendance on the premiere evening.

The films – Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang – are based on the Nurse Matilda books by Christianna Brand and are about a nanny with magical powers who is set on changing the ways of misbehaving children. Both films also contained other Harry Potter cast members: the first starred Kelly Macdonald (Helena Ravenclaw) and Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), while the second starred Rhys Ifans (Xenophilius Lovegood) and Dame Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall).

If you would like to know more about the ballet production or the company itself, click here to visit their website.

Has anyone seen the Nanny McPhee films? If so, what are your thoughts on the upcoming show? Does anyone plan on going to see it? Let us know with your comments below.