Over the last few years, we have also had great success taking our events online – more people than ever can learn more about Scottish Ballet from the comfort of their own homes. Here are some highlights from events over the last few years.
In person event, Thursday 21 March 2024
David Dawson’s Swan Lake, originally premiered by Scottish Ballet in 2016, has patiently been waiting in the wings for its much anticipated revival. It was scheduled to tour in 2020 before being cancelled, and in spring 2024 it made a valiant return to the stages of Scotland. It is known for its legendary score and tragic romance, and is a staple of ballet companies the world over. Dawson’s retelling of this classic is also known for its physically demanding choreography, with the entire company being put through their paces across the ranks.
Before hitting the road and performing to completely sold out auditoriums across Scotland, Silver Friends and above got the chance to see Principals Roseanna Leney and Evan Loudon rehearse the Odile and Siegfried pas de deux in the Darrell Studio, followed by a conversation with Head of Performance Medicine Martin Lanfear about the stamina required for such a challenging ballet. They shared that, as well as the intensive training required, they also need to build in extra rest and recuperation to their normal routines. Martin talked about the difference in approach to wellbeing and support now versus when the ballet was created eight years ago, and how his team ensure the dancers are at peak performance for the tour.
My son felt so welcomed to the event. He was blown away watching the performers up close whilst they rehearsed and has even more respect for their technique. Evan and Rosie were wonderful speakers and such an inspiration!
Anonymous event feedback
In person event, Tuesday 5 December 2023
Before the opening night of the winter tour, Silver Friends and above had the exclusive opportunity to visit the technical workshop, where the Scottish Ballet Orchestra were rehearsing the score for Cinders!
Led by conductor Wolfgang Heinz, the musicians worked through the different sections of Prokofiev’s Cinderella, from memorable character motifs to lush Romantic themes. The music tells its own story, from the dreamlike accompaniment to Cinders’ pas de deux at the Royal Ball, to the “tick, tock” of the clock striking midnight played by the percussion section. Hearing and seeing the orchestra playing right up close gave Friends a new perspective on seeing the ballet, and lots to listen out for in the performances!
In person event, Thursday 24 August 2023
Following the relaunch of the Friends membership programme, Silver Friends and above were invited to Scottish Ballet’s HQ for an in depth pointe shoe masterclass. For a full picture of what it takes to put a dancer en pointe, guests heard from three panellists for their perspectives.
Freed of London Pointe Shoe Fitter, Sophie Simpson, talked about the process of making a pointe shoe to measure, and the importance of the correct fit. Company Physiotherapist, Rachel Hendrie, discussed how best to avoid injury in pointework and the ways in which the Performance Medicine team can rehab a dancer when it does occur. And for a firsthand account, Artist Hannah Cubitt demonstrated the ways in which she customises her pointe shoes and how she made a swift and safe recovery from an injury herself.
In person event, Friday 17 March 2023
Ahead of the spring 2023 revival of A Streetcar Named Desire, Friends were treated to a behind the scenes glimpse at the costumes with Head of Wardrobe, Mary Mullen.
Mary talked through some of her favourite costumes, such as Blanche’s ‘moth dress’, and the colourful 1950s-style outfits from the bowling alley scene. Having brought Streetcar out of storage for the first time five years, the costumes and sets needed a refresh before hitting the stage again, including their first visit to the islands of Orkney and Lewis. Mary talked through how her team had reconstructed and remade the costumes for the dancers taking on new roles.
The guests also watched the company in rehearsal, led by former Scottish Ballet Principal dancer and original Blanche DuBois, Eve Mutso.
In theatre events, December 2022 – January 2023
A popular touring event, Friends and Members across Scotland came to their local theatre to watch the company take daily class before a day of performances of The Snow Queen. We were delighted to welcome so many ballet fans of all ages at each venue!
This was followed by a Q&A with company dancers, allowing Friends the chance to get to know the people onstage.
‘A thoroughly entertaining event. Company class was absolutely absorbing and watching all these wonderful young dancers being put through their paces; it demonstrated the absolute dedication they have for their art form. The Q&A also gave an excellent insight into the life and career path of the dancers.’
Anonymous event feedback
In person event, Thursday 27 October 2022
In every show, there is an unsung hero who is crucial to keeping everyone on track. Before heading out on the road with The Snow Queen, we were delighted to shine the spotlight on Stage Manager, Zoe Hayward to find out more about her role in the studio and on tour.
Friends were treated to a studio rehearsal at our Glasgow base to see the dancers prepare for the winter tour. They then had the chance to hear from Zoe and learn about the technical side of the company. From prompt corner, her role is to make sure the dancers are in place for their cues, cue the lighting, follow the score and make sure the show runs smoothly and on time. If you have attended a Scottish Ballet performance then you may have heard Zoe’s voice in the auditorium just before the show begins! She also gave a live demonstration of how she “calls” the show with some footage from a performance and a copy of her score.
Online event, Thursday 8 September 2022
After Coppélia received its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival, Friends had the opportunity to learn about the music for this hybrid production with Chief Conductor, Jean-Claude Picard as he Zoomed in from Canada!
The production itself has taken the original story and updated it for the 21st century, and the music is no exception according to Jean-Claude. He gave his insight into working with composers Mikael Karlsson and Michael P Atkinson, how they cleverly weaved references to the original music by Delibes into their new interpretation, and the challenges of conducting a live orchestra to a click track. He also discussed some his favourite sections in more detail with exclusive excerpts of the music.
Online event, Thursday 1 April 2021
When the pandemic hit, Scottish Ballet’s Engagement team acted very quickly to develop a free online resource for NHS and Social Care staff, knowing the health benefits that dance can offer for physical and mental wellbeing. This resource, Health at Hand®, was delivered through live online sessions as well as pre-recorded, so key workers could easily work the short sessions into their busy days.
Friends were invited to an online event to learn more about SB Health on the whole, and in particular the Health at Hand® programme, from Senior Dance Health Manager Lisa Sinclair and Dance Health Programme Manager Tiffany Stott. They were even treated to a live demonstration by Tiffany, and it was a delight to see people joining in at home, even if they had their cameras off!
Online event, Thursday 28 January 2021
2021 saw us host our first-ever online event for Free Members and supporters. We chatted to Soloist Thomas Edwards and Artist Jamie Reid about their careers and experiences as men in ballet. From starting ballet as young dancers to taking on leading roles as professionals, they had many pearls of wisdom to share with our audience!
We were delighted to welcome over 300 of our Friends, Patrons and Free Members from all over the world, with people tuning in from as far as Australia as well as closer to home. With so many excellent questions, we asked Tom and Jamie to answer some of the ones we didn’t have time for.
Do you have a favourite ballet?
Tom: “Yes, my favourite ballet that as a company we have performed is Emergence by Crystal Pite. It was such a great production to showcase the company and the opportunity to work with Crystal Pite, who I think is just a genius was such a career highlight I’ll never forget and will always cherish. Is there a favourite ballet I wish to perform in my career? Yes, I’d love to perform in Matthew Bournes Swan Lake, which has been a huge inspiration throughout my training days, and anything by Ekman, I sit and watch his productions on repeat!”
Jamie: “Yes, it would have to be either Highland Fling by Matthew Bourne or Crystal Pite’s Emergence.”
What other sport/activity do you think best complements ballet training?
Tom: ‘I think any elite performer needs something that compliments their training, whether that’s yoga, pilates, gyrotonics, gym, running etc. Something that can isolate certain areas to strengthen or lengthen. But it’s important to know just because something works for one person it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll work for you. So just take your time, try new things and see what works for you.’
Jamie: “I think gymnastics is probably the closest you could compare ballet to. I did ‘Ballet in Sport’ as a project in my final year at RCS and with footballers, in particular, it was shown for those who did ballet it massively reduced the chances of injury throughout their careers.”
What was your dance school before Scottish ballet?
Tom: Before Scottish Ballet I trained at Harlequin Stage School in Worcester from around 3 -16, then I moved to London from 16-19 to train at Central School of Ballet.
Jamie: “I was first at UK Theatre School in Glasgow as I initially wanted to do acting before I started dancing. I then joined the Scottish Ballet Associate Programme for 2 years before going into full-time training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.”
What do you think about high tempo ballet for long periods during the performance?
Tom: “In terms of a fast-paced section of dance within a ballet then I am here for it. I love moving fast and dynamically, especially if the music is more neoclassical and really pumping fast.”
Jamie: “Anything that is energetic and pushes your cardio I love performing. Seeing the results from starting rehearsals to then being on stage and touring can feel so satisfying at times.”
Do you do other dances alongside ballet?
Tom: “During my training, I trained in Ballet, Spanish, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and they tried (and failed) to teach me to sing. I think it’s so important nowadays to be as rounded as possible (versatile), the more styles you can do the more valuable you are as a dancer and the more you can be used. Also by training in different styles the richer your movement and vocabulary becomes, and the greater appreciation and respect you have for other artists and their works. I’d be very surprised nowadays to find a school or a company that only train and perform classical ballet.”
Jamie: “I have done a few different styles of dance when I was training at the UK Theatre School but ballet was the only one I ended up taking seriously”
Online event, Thursday 10 December 2020
To celebrate our first ever feature film The Secret Theatre, we invited our Friends to join us for a screening of a behind-the-scenes documentary, and a chance to hear from the people on both sides of the camera.
Soloist Bruno Micchiardi discussed his role as the Ringmaster and how he enjoyed utilising the camera in his performance to create a different experience for the audience. We heard from Technical Director Matt Strachan about how he and his team have adapted to working in film rather than live theatre, as well as sharing some movie magic! Plus Rehearsal Director Oliver Rydout talked about how his role has changed in the studio, from keeping morale high on long filming days to imparting the creative vision from the artistic team to the dancers.
And of course, we asked how they planned to spend their Christmas break, as they were not on tour for the first time in years! Similar to many of us, spending time with family where possible, relaxing and eating good food was top of their lists.
Online event, Thursday 6 August 2020
During the first lockdown of 2020, Resident Choreographer Sophie Laplane, from her home in France, produced a dance film, Indoors, featuring 36 dancers at their homes in Glasgow using 28 doors.
During this screening and discussion, Sophie explained to Rehearsal Director Oliver Rydout that she was keen to be experimental with choreography beyond the stage and that lockdown provided the perfect opportunity, choosing to feature doors as a symbol of unity – as everyone has one!
Friends heard from Sophie, Oliver and Principal Evan Loudon about the logistics of creating and performing such work, overcoming the constraints of lockdown by working as a team despite being apart, negotiating challenges (different types and sizes of doors being one!) and, most importantly, giving hope to supporters and performers.
Online event, Thursday 8 July 2020
In the summer, while our company dancers were working from home, many young dancers were doing the same! We invited our Young Friends to join Principal Bethany Kingsley-Garner for her tips on how to prepare for going ‘en pointe’.
Bethany showed us some exercises for building strength and flexibility in the feet, as this is crucial for starting pointe work. She also demonstrated how she prepares her shoes for rehearsals and performances, from coating the insides with ‘shellac’ (a hardener), to sewing on the ribbons and elastic.
For lots of our Young Friends who are at the very start of their pointe-work journey, the main piece of advice was to prepare well and have fun!
Online event, Thursday 28 May 2020
In May, during the first phase of lockdown, we hosted our first ever digital Friends event.
Supporters from all over the country logged on for a webinar with SB Principal Bethany Kingsley-Garner to hear about her working-from-home regime.
Discover Beth’s home studio, with a barre fashioned from her dining room chair placed upon a yoga mat, plus gain insights into how her working life has changed.
In September 2019, we were delighted to be joined by our Alumni at Theatre Royal Glasgow to toast our 50th anniversary and to reflect on the last five decades of Scottish Ballet.
You can find pictures from this wonderful event below.
Thursday 19 September 2019
Principal Friends and Director’s Circle patrons joined Physiotherapist Martin Lanfear in the treatment room and gym, giving guests an exclusive insight into how Scottish Ballet dancers stay strong and supple, and how elite dance physiotherapy differs from sports physiotherapy. Martin talked to guests, about how technology tracks dancers’ fitness, progress and can even predict an injury. Soloist Aisling Brangan demonstrated her gym programme and surprised guests with how much she can lift (40kg!).
Thursday 12 September 2019
Friends of Scottish Ballet joined Senior Wardrobe Technician, Ciara Nolan, in our coveted costume store to hear all about the couture costume-making process for The Crucible and gave us an up-close look at the designs. Principal dancer Constance Devernay who played the role of Abigail took time out of rehearsal to talk to guests about quick changes during the ballet. Guests also got a glimpse in to final rehearsals before the autumn season tour and joined Scottish Ballet staff and dancers for refreshments.
Thursday 5 June 2019
As we look towards the next 50 years, we also reflect on our past, and the performances and people that shaped Scottish Ballet.
We are curating an archive and digitising almost 50,000 minutes of footage from performances and rehearsal from the original film. We hosted an event at the Moving Image Archive at Kelvin Hall for 90 patrons and Friends to fondly reflect on our most iconic and historically significant work, most of which had not been seen for 40 years including Cheri and Giselle.
Scottish Ballet’s digital archive can be accessed at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.
