Emergence
The mesmerising ballet by Crystal Pite and a world premiere from Julia Cheng
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
Emergence:
Choreography
Crystal Pite
Music
Owen Belton
Set
Jay Gower Taylor
Costumes
Linda Chow
Lighting Designer
Alan Brodie
Entress:
Choreographer
Julia Cheng
Set & Costume Designer
Yann Seabra
Composer
Isobel Waller-Bridge
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.
Access
Access
Find out more about Scottish Ballet’s access offering from performances and films, to classes and visiting our building.