MAGIC spells, evil queens and fairy princesses might just sound like child’s play, but scratch beneath the surface of the stereotypical ballet and you will discover a world of strength, stamina and discipline.

We’ve all grown up with the same image of the ballet: little girls with their hair in braids, pirouetting light-pink tutus – but that picture couldn’t be further from the truth for Vienna Festival Ballet.

The company’s founder and artistic director Peter Mallek said: “Ballet is getting much more popular. People are realising that it’s not just for girls. Dancers have to be strong and so well trained – it’s quite a hard life.”

The Vienna Festival Ballet will be presenting Sleeping Beauty at Parr Hall on Sunday, May 13.

It is one of the most celebrated and well travelled ballet companies in Europe, touring all year round to enable more and more people to experience some of the world’s best-loved works. With as many as 90 performances per three-month season, these dancers are at the very top of their game, with strength and stamina to rival any athlete.

In fact, a study from the University of Hertfordshire explored the fitness levels of dancers from the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet School, comparing them to a squad of British national and international swimmers, including members of the Olympic squad.

The study examined a range of skills, including strength, endurance, balance, flexibility, and psychological state.

Results from the research revealed that the fitness levels of the dancers exceeded those of the swimmers, with the dancers achieving higher scores in 70 per cent of the tests.

They were also revealed to be 25 per cent stronger when tested for grip strength.

Peter added: “During performance season, our dancers rehearse every day before going straight into the show.

‘A football team did our ballet training but after half an hour they stopped. They couldn’t do it’

Peter Mallek

“It’s tiring, but they’re so used to this routine, and they just love to dance. But they are strong – you wouldn’t believe how strong.

“We were performing in this one town, where we met the football team. They said that the footballers should do their ballet training, and they did.

“However, after about half an hour they stopped. They couldn’t do it. They didn’t have the conditioning or the training the dancers had.”

For people looking to get fit, a ballet class is the ideal place to start. Ballet targets every single part of your body, from your head right down to your toes.

Not only can it improve strength and toning but regular ballet sessions can also have a noticeable impact on posture and balance, in addition to mental wellbeing.

Any form of exercise releases feel-good hormones endorphins, but ballet also offers a brain workout that demands concentration and improves memory, co-ordination and timing. Ballet training is considered to be so beneficial, that some sportsmen and women take up training to boost strength, agility and co-ordination.

Former England football captain Rio Ferdinand famously took ballet classes as a child, helping to prepare him for his career on the pitch and in the boxing ring.

However, ballet is getting increasingly popular with audience members too, with more and more people recognising the skill, dedication and artistry that goes into it.

Vienna Festival Ballet is currently adapting Sleeping Beauty, one of the most popular fairytales of all time.

Made famous by Walt Disney’s 1959 adaptation, this classic story is one every family knows.

Peter said: “It’s something everyone can enjoy, and that’s important. Ballet only ever used to be for the rich people – for Kaisers and queens, never for more than about 10 or 15 people – but it became more and more for the audience, and today it’s for everyone.”

  • Sleeping Beauty is at Parr Hall on Sunday, May 13. Visit pyramidparrhall.com