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The Dark Side of Ballet Schools

Panorama investigates claims of bullying and body shaming at two of the UK's top ballet schools, The Royal Ballet School in London and Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham.

Panorama investigates claims of bullying and body shaming at two of the UK's top ballet schools, The Royal Ballet School in London and Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham. Only the best young dancers secure places at these elite boarding schools, as they pursue their dreams of a career on the stage. But as they hit puberty and their bodies change, many say they are put under intolerable pressure from teachers to be thin. Reporter Mark Daly hears from former pupils who say they have developed eating disorders and mental health problems and are now calling for a change to a culture they say is corrosive.

29 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Reporter Mark Daly
Director Mona McAlinden
Producer Mona McAlinden
Producer Hayley Hassall
Editor Karen Wightman

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