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Emergence

The mesmerising ballet by Crystal Pite and a world premiere from Julia Cheng

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Enter a mesmerising underworld where human-kind dissolves into something altogether more elemental.

Crystal Pite’s Emergence is a breathtaking fusion of classical ballet and raw, insect-like movement that casts dancers as swarming creatures in a darkly beautiful universe, creating spectacular formations that blur the boundaries between individual and collective consciousness.

Drawing from swarm intelligence research and bee colony behaviour, Pite explores the tension between our craving for individual agency and our deep need for collective belonging. Set to Owen Belton’s haunting music, the full company transforms into a living, breathing super-organism, moving with the urgent precision of a hive mind. “Like the best works of art, it transforms its audience, as well as its participants” (The Seattle Times).

Returning to Scotland for the first time in ten years, this bold piece showcases the explosive physicality and artistry of Scottish Ballet.

Joining Emergence is a world premiere of Entress from Julia Cheng, the acclaimed choreographer behind Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and Fiddler on the Roof, whose boundary-crossing work has earned Olivier and Chita Rivera Award nominations. Cheng’s new work features an original score and a stellar creative team.

Prepare to be consumed by two of contemporary dance’s most electrifying choreographers.

Running time: The performance lasts approximately 1 hour 40 minutes including one 20-minute interval.

 

#SBEmergence

Tour Dates


His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

25 – 26 September 2026


Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

1 – 3 October 2026


Bergen International Festival

7 – 8 June 2027

Reviews from Entress and Emergence 

★★★★★

‘A standing ovation, ecstatic cheers and night Scottish Ballet owned Glasgow.’ 

The Herald 

★★★★★

‘Two stunning works of the highest calibre in one evening.’ 

The Reviews Hub

★★★★★

‘This is thrilling, innovative and world-class dance.’ 

Broadway World

★★★★★

‘Utterly brilliant. The whole company were outstanding.’ 

Scotsgay Arts

★★★★

‘Breathtaking.’ 

The Scotsman

★★★★

‘Riveting visions of gods and insects.’ 

The Guardian

★★★★

‘They are not just feasts for the senses but works of art.’ 

A Young(ish) Perspective 

‘Let’s hear enthusiastic cheers for Scottish Ballet (as we did, volubly, at Thursday’s opening night of its latest show, Emergence). Given a recent output that includes Sophie Laplane and James Bonas’s magnificent Mary, Queen Of Scots, we hardly need confirmation that – under the directorship of Christopher Hampson – Scotland boasts a world-class national dance company.’

The National 

Credits

Entress:

Choreographer

Julia Cheng

Set & Costume Designer

Yann Seabra

Lighting Designer

Lee Curran

Artistic Associate & Guest Percussionist

Beibei Wang

Associate Choreographer

Laura Braid

Story Consultant

Nick Drake

Beginners Call: an audio introduction to Emergence

Get ready for Emergence before attending the performance. Listen to our interview with Scottish Ballet dancers Melissa Parsons and Alice Kawalek.

Trailer

Creating Entress

Gallery

Access