IN such a discipline as ballet, where precise timing is as important as athleticism, you’d think the nerves would be jangling before a performance.

Not so for the apparently uber-Zen Kieran Potter, born in Eastbourne and now dancing with the reputable National Youth Ballet.

“It can be quite tense, but after a while you get used to it,” says the 18 year-old. “It’s just about getting chilled and everything else will be fine.”

The NYB comes to Crawley for a display that pays tribute to the company’s late artistic director Jill Tookey, who passed away after battling cancer in March this year.

Tookey has been widely described as an inspirational figure in dance, and a pivotal force in the progression of promising young dancers to international performers.

Potter, who has been with the group for two years, describes her as a motivational figure who attended every rehearsal and had a hands-on approach.

“She was really nice. Strict, too, but that was part of the role. She pushed you to do your best, and brought out the talent in people.”

One of Tookey’s favourite pieces, The Old Man of Lochnagar – based on the children’s book by The Prince of Wales – will be performed in Crawley as the fondly-remembered director is commemorated.

An NYB alumni team will also pay their respects in the form of a special dance.

Potter’s own route to the company has roots in Sussex. He studied at the Willingdon School of Dance in Eastbourne from the age of five, where he and his older sister would dance together. At weekends, the young talent would travel to London to showcase his potential.

Now, he is going into his last year at Hertfordshire’s esteemed Tring School, studying contemporary and jazz dance. Here, his teachers encouraged him to audition for the NYB. Again, that was “quite nervy,” but the proof of Potter’s assured performance is in his current centrality to the company.

He is part of the integral ‘ensemble’ section of the ballet, operating behind the lead dancers to reinforce the poise and delicacy of the act. Taking over from Tookey is no easy feat, but new artistic director in residence Mikah Smilie has impressed the cast.

“She’s working well and helping us all,” says Potter. “We’re all getting used to the process after the change, but so far it’s been good.”

As the oldest member of the group, Potter says he and other ‘senior’ figures act as mentors-ofsorts to the young dancers, some of which are only nine years old.

“You have to help them out every once in a while, just with life generally. Sometimes they get scared or nervous.”

This is understandable when there is no margin for error in any given performance, but off-stage the company get on well, sharing a “nice bond”

which comes from spending long days together.

Potter talks of “building the NYB family,” which reflects his feeling of belonging in the group. Naturally, he will be “very sad” to leave – all members must depart when they reach the age of 19.

“This will probably be my last performance with them,” says Potter, “but I’ll definitely keep in touch with the NYB and return if they ask me to come back for any reason.”

He has been thinking about the next step, though, being keen to remain in ballet, and is a long-standing fan of choreographer Matthew Bourne.

“I like the look of that if I could get into it. I’d have to send off a video of myself in performance, which would hopefully lead to an audition.”

Not to put pressure on Potter, but you wouldn’t bank on the tension of this prospective situation getting to him.

National Youth Ballet, The Hawth, Crawley, Friday, 26 and Saturday, 27 August, 2.30 and 7.30pm, child £14, adult £20, call 01293 553636