Women over the age of 50 got a taste of what it is like to dance on stage as they got tips from the professionals.

Dancers from Matthew Bourne's Cinderella, which is currently at Norwich Theatre Royal, this week led a dance workshop with members of the theatre's Limelighters group.

During Wednesday's two-hour session, the group, which was made up of 26 women, got the rare chance to perform on stage, learned about movements and the company's repertoire and created their own choreography.

Heather Johnson, 62, who lives near Dereham and took part in the workshop, said: 'It was brilliant being on the stage and the dancers were great fun. I love dance and I love ballet and it's a good way of making new friends.'

Anne Sanderson, 67, from Poringland, added: 'I didn't do ballet as a child so it's marvellous that adults can have this opportunity to learn ballet from scratch.'

The Limelighters group is open to anyone, both men and women, over the age of 50 who want to dance.

Throughout the year, members who are on the group mailing list, are invited to workshops hosted by a range of touring companies including Richard Alston, which performed at the Theatre Royal at the beginning of the month, Northern Ballet and Rambert. The sessions vary in price.

Jason Raper, the theatre's education manager, said: 'They get a lot out of it. Working with the professionals gives it that added dimension and being on the stage gives them a sense of being part of something practical.

'There's no standard. It's just a chance for people over the age of 50 to come and enjoy themselves, dance and make new friends.'

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella will be at the Theatre Royal until this Saturday. The production is said to be a thrilling and evocative journey through London during the Second World War.

A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

To find out more about the Limelighters group, call the theatre's education department on 01603 598500 or drop into the theatre.

To read a review of Matthew Bourne's Cinerella, go to www.eveningnews24.co.uk.

For tickets, go to www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.

Are you organising an innovative project? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk