Scottish Ballet is Scotland’s national dance Company.

 

Founded by Peter Darrell and Elizabeth West as Western Theatre Ballet in Bristol in 1957, the Company moved to Glasgow in 1969 and was renamed Scottish Theatre Ballet, changing to Scottish Ballet in 1974. 

 

The Company performs across Scotland, the UK and abroad, with strong classical technique at the root of all of its work. Its broad repertoire includes both classical and fiercely contemporary works, including seminal pieces from the 20th century modern ballet canon, signature pieces by living choreographers, new commissions for revered contemporary choreographers, and full-length story ballets re-imagined with fresh relevance for a contemporary audience, creating a unique artistic identity.

 

As a truly national company, Scottish Ballet performs at theatres in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and in smaller venues throughout Scotland. The Company’s long history of touring internationally includes visits to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Portugal, Ireland and the rest of the UK.  Scottish Ballet’s many recent awards include the 2008 Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Repertoire (Classical), as well as being nominated for three Critics’ Circle Awards in 2009 including Outstanding Company, the results of which will be revealed in January 2010.

 

Scottish Ballet provides a comprehensive education and outreach programme to complement its production and touring activity. Education initiatives and classes include work with people of all ages and abilities, and Scottish Ballet’s Associate Programme encourages young dancers to train for a career in the industry. As part of this commitment to broadening audiences, Scottish Ballet was the first dance company in the UK to offer live audio-description for the visually impaired, and maintains a programme of regular audio-described performances today. In 2009, Scottish Ballet launched Scotland’s first ever conservatoire-based degree in Modern Ballet in partnership with the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, a three year full-time vocational degree which bridges what was previously a critical gap in dance training in Scotland, allowing young dancers to complete their professional training in Scotland for the first time.

 

In 2009, Scottish Ballet moved to its new purpose-built home at the Tramway complex in Glasgow, creating a production and presentation facility of a scale and artistic mix unrivalled in the UK.

 

For more information on Peter Darrell, Choreographer and Founder of Scottish Ballet, please click here: http://www.peterdarrell.org/update/