Ballet boys are on stage at the Apollo Theatre in Oxford

“You’re a sissy” was a regular cry at boys’ schools if anyone mentioned dancing – rugby, football, cricket and athletics were seen as more masculine activities there.

But the three above proved that you could still be a boy and excel at dancing on stage.

James Prior, Edmund Wood and Thomas Kennedy played the parts of pages in a production of Swan Lake by the London Festival Ballet at the Apollo Theatre (now the New) in Oxford in April 1988.

James, 10, of Webbs Way, and Edmund, eight, of Cherry Close, both in Kidlington, were pupils at the Paulson School of Dance in the village.

Thomas, 12, of Heyford Road, Kirtlington, was a pupil at Marlborough School, Woodstock, and had been recommended to dance instructor Hettie Paulson for the role.

As their appearance on stage approached, Mrs Paulson, who had been teaching dance at Kidlington Baptist Church for 28 years, told the Oxford Mail: “They have the usual butterflies, but they are looking forward very much to performing.

“It is a marvellous opportunity for them and encourages them to do even better in their dance training.”

The boys were due to take part in all performances during the week-long show. Their picture appeared in the Mail under the headline, ‘Paging the beautiful movers’.

James and Edmund had appeared with the London Festival Ballet once before and according to Mrs Paulson, were thinking of becoming professional dancers.

She said: “Boys can be beautiful dancers, but they have to take a lot of ribbing from their friends and not many youngsters take it up.”