Announcing Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots
Today we announce our major new production for 2025. The World Premiere of Mary, Queen of Scots will debut at Edinburgh International Festival next year, followed by a Scottish tour. The production will be told through the eyes of Queen Elizabeth I, based on her perceived and imagined relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots, revisiting her past a few hours from death.
This major new production from Scottish Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence Sophie Laplane and co-creator, James Bonas (The Crucible), draws on the complex relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England. Laplane’s bold choreography blends classicism with modernity, reshaping a familiar story with powerful originality.
Roseanna Leney and Charlotta Öfverholm during the campaign photoshoot of Mary, Queen of Scots. Credit Mihaela Bodlovic
Soutra Gilmour’s striking, contemporary set is complemented by dazzling costumes that capture the grandeur of the era, with nods to haute couture and punk. New music, by the team behind 2022 Festival hit Coppélia, is performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. Guest artist Charlotta Öfverholm, as the older Elizabeth, brings her rich storytelling expertise to the company’s dancers.
This iconic story will be unconventionally told, adding to the canon of rich, contemporary repertoire that is uniquely, Scottish Ballet.
The story of Mary, Queen of Scots is iconic, and part of our heritage in Scotland. It’s been told many times before, but rarely in dance. Scottish Ballet produced a version way back in the 70s, so I thought it was timely for us to look at that story again, and who better to do so than our resident choreographer Sophie Laplane. Sophie’s take on the Mary/Elizabeth relationship is incredibly fresh – there’s a real playfulness in the way she’s working with the story and the characters. It’s a familiar story to us all, but it will be told in a very new way, which is so Scottish Ballet.
Christopher Hampson, CEO/Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet
Artistic Director and CEO Christopher Hampson on set of the campaign image photoshoot for Mary, Queen of Scots. Credit Mihaela Bodlovic
Mary, Queen of Scots tour dates:
Edinburgh International Festival August 2025
Glasgow, Theatre Royal 17-20 Sep 2025
Eden Court Highlands, Inverness 26-27 Sep 2025
Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre 2-4 Oct 2025
Bently Foundation is supporting the creation of Mary, Queen of Scots.
All tickets on sale, March 2025. Sign up to become a friend and be the first to hear about our latest news, announcements, tours and more.
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