While the English National Ballet's latest production of The Sleeping Beauty may have won rave reviews from the critics, members of the audience may be unaware they are also witnessing a little bit of stage history.

Because for the first time in the modern era, a male dancer - who identifies as being 'gender fluid' - is performing as part of the female ensemble.

Chase Johnsey, 32, an American, who has been dancing since the age of 14, won his part as a ballerina, after impressing Tamara Rojo - the director of the English National Ballet - with his grit and determination to be accepted for his dancing rather than for his sex.

Mr Johnsey, who has had facial surgery to feminise his features, has also lost more than a stone in weight in order to adapt to the different physical demands required of female performers.

Chase Johnsey is breaking down barriers for gender fluid dancers credit: Elliot Franks

Describing himself as ‘gender-fluid’ with ‘body dysmorphia’, he began his professional career with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, an all male group based in New York, whose members perform both male and female parts, but with a comedic edge.

He said he had long held the ambition of becoming a ballerina and taking on female roles, but thought he would never be accepted.

However after winning best male dancer at Britain's National Dance Awards last year, he finally got the break he had been dreaming of.

Mr Johnsey explained: "I left Trockadero for a number of reasons. I wanted to take it more seriously. Then out of nowhere Tamara asked me to come and take class.

"I didn't think anybody would be strong enough to take a risk on me but Tamara has an amazing backbone.

"She only saw me for the way I danced. She said. ' I see you as a ballerina and I want you to be in the production'. It has been incredibly emotional for me."

Chase Johnsey won best male dancer last year credit: Elliot Franks

She has insisted that his appointment is not a publicity stunt, but is instead intended to "reflect the world we live in".

Ms Rojo added: “I think ballet can be the perfect environment for gender fluidity. We are in a position where we could open up roles for lots of people.”

Hopefully this will help open things up not just for gender fluid people, but for transgender dancers and also women who want to perform in male roles

Mr Johnsey said despite the fact he was challenging some of the solid traditions of his art, he had received nothing but support from both male and female ballet dancers.

"My first couple of days were terrifying, but it was so amazing how the girls helped me. They understand that I am really working hard and they respect me for that.

"As a gay person I was bullied by straight guys growing up, but in the production I am just dancing and that is what people see. All the other dancers, male and female are rooting for me.

“My hair is up, I wear makeup, female attire. I am able to do female roles and look the part, so that is artistically what I do.”

While Mr Johnsey is not dancing ‘on point’ in The Sleeping Beauty like the other female dancers, there is little to distinguish his performance from their's.

Sleeping Beauty has won rave reviews from the critics credit: Elliot Franks

But he admitted he has cannibalised his body in order to make himself more petite and lose some of his muscle mass without sacrificing his strength.

He explained: "I keep evolving and I am pushing the limits of what I can achieve. I am trying to see how feminine I can make myself within those limitations."

Chase Johnsey began dancing at 14 credit: Elliot Franks

Mr Johnsey went on: "The most challenging aspect through all of this has been me. I tend to doubt myself and wonder if I am the best person to make history in this way.

"But sometimes you have to fight to be yourself. Hopefully this will help open things up not just for gender fluid people, but for transgender dancers and also women who want to perform in male roles.

"I have had a lot of people contact me on social media to say 'thank-you' and that has meant a huge amount to me. What was impossible before is no longer impossible."

He was also full of praise for the British audiences. He said: “The UK has always been really good to me. The London audiences have always supported me so I feel very comfortable in the UK. It was the UK that was willing to take a risk on me.”