Brian Beacom

THE BILLY Elliot story of how young dancer overcomes horrendous adversity is one Daniel Davidson is all too familiar with.

The former Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood pupil is now starring with the prestigious Rambert Theatre company, appearing at the Theatre Royal this week.

However Daniel reveals during his own journey to the top he had to contend with ridicule and bullying.

"It was difficult," he says of early dancing days.

"When I began to study ballet there was only one other boy in my class.

"In my primary school I was known as 'The Ballet Boy', and it was strange to be singled as the one who danced.

"And I had to deal with the bullying that came about as a result of being a ballet dancer.

"But it all was character building. Rather than make me give up, the bullying made me a develop a thick skin - and made me even more determined to keep going."

Daniel has been dancing since the age of five.

"I'd be dancing at home, and I loved all the old Hollywood movies such as Singing in the Rain and the Sound of Music," he recalls.

"My mum noticed this and took me to a ballet class around the corner and I really felt at home there.

"And when I was around ten years old my teacher said to my parents I had potential to become a professional.

"Thankfully, my parents were really supportive of the dream. I just loved the idea of dancing about for a living."

After his stint at Knightswood, Daniel spent eight years at Scottish Ballet.

He then moved to London to work with Millennium Dance and has since travelled the world.

Now he's with the Rambert company, whose current programme includes three contemporary pieces including Rooster.

Christopher Bruce's celebration of the swinging sixties, features 'sharp suited snake-hipped men and strong, sassy women who perform virtuoso courtship dances,' to Rolling Stones music.

"It's been a real challenge to move from classical to contemporary work," says Daniel.

"But I love it."

Daniel didn't grow up a Rolling Stones fan.

"I'm a converted Rolling Stones fan," says the 30 year-old.

"I've come to appreciate songs such as Paint It Black really do get your heart pumping.

"These songs really are anthems."

He adds; "In the piece, the dancers are supposed to have a bit of swagger.

"And how can you not swagger when your singing Jagger?"

Daniel maintains attitudes to male ballet have changed.

"I was in a cab in Glasgow a short time ago and the driver asked me what I did for a living.

"When I told him I was a dancer he said 'Oh, my son goes to ballet.'

"I was quite taken aback to hear this. It sounds awful, but I didn't expect a taxi driver to tell me his son was a ballet dancer.

"I was going with the stereotype image, which was extremely rude of me, but then I took a moment to appreciate my dad is also a taxi driver.

"So it all suggests attitudes are moving in the right direction.

"And I think the Billy Elliot movie has certainly helped the shift."

* Rambert, featuring Rooster, the Theatre Royal, Thursday until Saturday.