Principal

Born in the French city of Cherbourg, Sophie trained at the Conservatory National Supérieur of Paris under the tuition of Noëlla Auguste, and performed with the Junior Ballet. She has also worked with leading dancers and choreographers in France.

She joined Scottish Ballet in 2003 and has danced in Page’s The Nutcracker (Marie), Acrid Avid Jam, Nightswimming into day, 32 Cryptograms, The Pump Room, Cinderella (Cinderella), Fearful Symmetries, The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora and Cinderella), Pennies From Heaven,Cheating, Lying, Stealing and Alice (Alice, Queen of Hearts), Balanchine's The Four Temperaments, Apollo, Agon, Episodes and Rubies (lead couple), Richard Alston’s Dangerous Liaisons (which she also performed as part of the Dance Umbrella Gala) and Carmen (Carmen), Darrell’s Othello (Desdemona), Loosmore’s Chasing Ghosts, van Manen’s Two Pieces For Het, Forsythe’s Artifact Suite (Duet I and II) and Workwithinwork, Ashton’s Façade and Scènes de Ballet, Spink's Petrushka, Petronio’s MiddleSexGorge and Ride The Beast, Pastor’s In Light and Shadow and Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), Val Caniparoli's Still Life, Jorma Elo's Kings 2 Ends, Meckler/Lopez Ochoa's A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella) and Martin Lawrance’s Run For It.

Sophie was promoted to Principal in August 2008, and was number 20 in The List magazine’s Hot 100 poll of influential figures in Scottish culture in December 2008. She received the award for Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) at the 2011 Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards.

Photos

 

 

Films

Sophie Martin discusses dancing the role of Alice.

Alice live backstage broadcast featuring Sophie talking about her role as Alice.

 

 

Quotes

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE 2012

.The Times, 30 April 2012 - Sophie Martin is earthy and passionate as Stella.

.TheArtsDesk, 30 April 2012 - Sophie Martin makes a terrific contrast with Mutso, showing a mercurial sensuousness under her plain blue dress that evidently keeps Kowalski permanently on the boil.

.Independent on Sunday, 29 April 2012 - Scottish Ballet’s principals prove first-rate, with Eve Mutso a mercurial and dangerously sympathetic Blanche, and Tama Barry a believably brutish Stanley, all scowl and pectorals. Sophie Martin’s pregnant Stella is the moral touchstone, sensual and earthed. Her conciliatory duet with Stanley is not only startling gymnastic; it’s almost certainly the most erotic thing on any stage right now.

.Sunday Times, 22 April 2012 - The premiere cast in all the leadings roles was splendid: Tama Barry as the macho Stanley, Sophie Martin as the much put-upon Stella, Adam Blyde as the innocent Mitch and, above all, Eve Mutso as the self-deluding, conscience-tormented Blanche DuBois.

.The Herald, 12 April 2012 - Eve Mutso, Tama Barry and Sophie Martin rise to the challenge of nuanced complexity with a subtlety, intelligence and gut integrity that is so fierce and fine it hurts…

.Daily Express, 13 April 2012 - The pas de deux between Tama Barry’s cocksure Stanley and Sophie Martin’s superb Stella has an erotic charge that ignites the stage

.The Daily Telegraph, 13 April 2012 - Danced with real power by Eve Mutso, Tama Barry and Sophie Martin...

DOUBLE BILL AT SADLER'S WELLS - AUTUMN 2011

MacMillan's Song of the Earth

. Financial Times, 06 November 2011 - No praise too great for Sophie Martin as the Woman: such selfless clarity, such artistry, are beautiful. I remember MacMillan's comment when faced with dancers' wilfulness: "Why don't they trust the steps!". Sophie Martin trusts the steps with all her being, and is magnificent.

. Cloud Dance Festival blog, 06 November 2011 - Sophie Martin, Erik Cavallari and Christopher Harrison [are] captivating in the lead roles.

. Independent Dance Reviews, 10 November 2011 - Most memorable of all was Sophie Martin as the female lead whose long solo in The Farewell was danced with impassioned, tangible longing.

. Spectator, 12 November 2011 – Sophie Martin and Erik Cavallari gave a perfect rendition of roles that remain associated, in the memory of many with some of the greatest artists ever.

US TOUR 2011

Elo's Kings 2 Ends

. LA Times, 15 October 2011 - The two notable couples were Sophie Martin paired with Daniel Davidson and Owen Thorne with Eve Mutso (whose quirky opening solo was another high point).

MacMillan's Song of the Earth

. LA Times, 15 October 2011 - The exception was, again, Sophie Martin, a mesmerizing presence as a loner adrift in the world. Enter the equally expressive Erik Cavallari; their concluding love duet made the heart tingle.

.Blogdowntown, 18 October 2011 - Sophie Martin, Erik Cavallari and Christopher Harrison, who danced the principal roles, were superb. 

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2011

MacMillan’s Song of the Earth

.The Times, 27 August 2011 - Sophie Martin was outstanding as the leading woman, her performance beautiful, serious and heartfelt in its phrasing and pulse. She began filled with longing and ended in transcendent resignation as death takes her lover. There is every reason for Scottish Ballet to dance Song of the Earth, and Sophie Martin is the strongest reason of all.

.The Guardian, 27 August 2011 - Sophie Martin as the Young Woman is excellent. A dew of expectancy and curiosity overlays the exquisite finish of her dancing, making her dawning awareness of mortality all the more harrowing.

.The Herald, 27 August 2011 - The trio of dancers at the heart of the choreography – Adam Blyde, Erik Cavallari and Sophie Martin – connect us, with exquisitely nuanced detail, to the life cycle expressed in the songs. Blyde, the Messenger of Death, shadows the unfolding actions with a potent subtlety, while Cavallari offers a boundless vitality that Martin answers with a porcelain delicacy.

.Sunday Times, 04 September 2011 – “Sophie Martin as the Woman was outstanding, emotionally affecting in focussing the work’s themes.”

.Observer, 04 September 2011 – “Sophie Martin, her features enigmatic, delivers a high, pure line and phrasing of serene assurance. Her arabesque turns in particular are beautifully sustained.”

.Mail on Sunday. 04 September 2011 – “Sophie Martin and Erik Cavallari give impassioned and strongly defined interpretations of the Everyman and Everywoman whose tragedy is at the ballet’s heart.”

 

ALICE 2011

.The Guardian, 14 April 2011 – Alice is danced with bright energy by Sophie Martin.

.News of the World, 17 April 2011 – At the heart of the piece is Sophie Martin’s exceptional performance.

.Sunday Times, 17 April 2011 – Sophie Martin is an expressive, appealing Alice, spirited and inexhaustible in her dancing.

.Edinburgh Evening News, 21 April 2011 – Alice, played by a flowing and dextrous Sophie Martin…

.Edinburgh Spotlight, 21 April 2011 – Traditionalists will find themselves most drawn to the pas de deux between Martin and Cavallari: the former’s fluid grace representing the innocence of her character; and Cavallari’s tender strength also captivating to watch. 

.South Wales Echo, 06 May 2011 – Sophie Martin deserves particular praise as Alice.

.Theatre in Wales, 05 May 2011 –Sophie Martin as Alice is on stage for most of the ballet but she looks as delicious and lively in the very last scene as she does when we first meet her. Erik Cavallari is a warm and caring Dodgson. Dancing both together and separately, they move with a remarkable fluidity which is a joy to look at.

 

CINDERELLA 2010/11

.Edinburgh Spotlight, January 2011 – Adam Blyde as the Prince impresses, particularly in those scenes where he and Martin dance together, the fluidity and grace of their movements capturing the fairytale romance of their pairing.

.Informed Edinburgh, January 2011– Sophie Martin as Cinderella brings a certain fragility and sweetness to the role.

.Press and Journal, 20 January 2011 – In the title role, Sophie Martin excels, moving as if she is a feather blown by a breeze.

.Inverness Courier, 01 February 2011 –Sophie Martin was perfect in the lead role, with her gamin looks allied to her already well-established talents as a dancer.

 

GEOMETRY AND GRACE 2010

Ashley Page's Fearful Symmetries

.The Stage - The choreography might be Olivier Award-winning, but it makes strong demands on its performers. Demands which, with Eric Cavallari in total control, Sophie Martin, Sato and Eve Mutso sensual and moving as his three loves, and the corps de ballet fully controlled by their preordained destinies, the company rise far above.

 

ROMEO AND JULIET 2010

 .Sunday Herald, 25 April 2010 - The lovers themselves are danced with truly affecting anguish by Erik Cavallari (Romeo) and Sophie Martin (Juliet).

.Daily Telegraph, 23 April 2010 - Erik Cavallari (Romeo) and Sophie Martin (Juliet) give genuinely beautiful and touching lead to a deservedly revived Scottish Ballet success.

.The Herald, 20 April 2010 -Sophie Martin (Juliet) and Erik Cavallari (Romeo) bring a vivid sincerity to the hapless lovers.

.The Stage, 11 May 2010 – Cavallari and Martin stand out, their attraction immediate and complete. Their love duets are pure romance.

.Edinburgh Guide, 30 April 2010 – Erik Cavallari and Sophie Martin are simply delightful together, expressing real feelings of innocent teenage love.

 

AUTUMN 2009

Balanchine’s Rubies

.Dance Europe, November 2009 – I believe few couples could betther the performances of Sophie Martin and Adam Blyde in the lead roles. Their partnership is fluid and superbly in sync. The sixth sense they seem to possess became ever more vivid later in the programme. Both have crystal techniques, beautiful lines, jumps, pirouettes and sparkling personality, but the icing on the cake is their instinctive musicality. Each used Stravinsky’s score with such a sense of clarity and innate understanding, it was a joy to watch.”

.Londondance.com, 02 October 2009 – Sophie Martin shone.

.Theartsdesk.com, 07 October 2009 – That Sophie Martin, Scottish Ballet’s French leading lady, had enough personality to suggest Bette Midler curves despite her refined build, is a measure of what fun she was to watch.

.The Independent, 06 October 2009 – Sophie Martin and Adam Blyde show romping energy as the leading couple. Martin shimmies exuberantly, undulating her torso with verve.

.Independent on Sunday, 04 October 2009 – Sophie Martin was a stand-out soloist, her flirtatious show-girl fizz never flagging.

.Guardian, 05 October 2009 – Sophie Martin has exceptional attack.

.The Stage, 02 October 2009 –Sophie Martin, with a polished technique, sparkles and is well partenered by Adam Blye.

Pastor’s In Light and Shadow

.Dance Europe, November 2009 – Blyde and Martin [are] sublime in their aria – total bliss.

 

SPRING 2009

Alston’s Carmen

.jenniemacfie.wordpress.com, 17^th May 2009 - Sophie Martin as Carmen had much in common with her fellow countrywoman Sylvie Guillem, demonstrating an enviable precision, strength and musicality. She has a graceful, unhurried perfection of movement which runs all the way to the very tips of her elegant fingers and toes.

Page’s Cheating, Lying, Stealing

.Kelly Apter, The Scotsman, 17 April 2009 - one of the best performances the principals of this company have ever given 

.jenniemacfie.wordpress.com, 17^th May 2009 - The individual duets and trios provided many opportunities to admire the dancing skills of the company members, including Martin, now ably partnered by Adam Blyde, Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari, and the ever-watchable Paul Liburd.

 

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 2008-2009

.Press & Journal, 29^th January 2009 – Sophie Martin’s Princess Aurora was the icing on the fantastic cake.

.Big Issue, 15 January 2009 – Sophie Martin’sAurora receives a rapturous reception in her awakening performance with The Prince (Adam Blyde). It’s a concise and tightly choreographed yet almost impossibly romantic performance that captures the sweeping, epic, soaring heartfelt optimism of the original piece.

.Turriff Advertiser Series, 06 Feb 2009 – Sophie Martin and Adam Blyde made a well matched Aurora and her prince and Sophie’s grace and speed and ease of movement were beautiful.

 

ROMEO AND JULIET 2008

.The Guardian, 17^th May 2008 - Sophie Martin portrays that combination of sweet innocence and petulant adolescent determination that makes for a believable Juliet. 

.Edinburgh Guide.com, 14^th May 2008-Sophie Martin, as Juliet, who exquisitely portrays the ardour and innocence of youth caught up in unexpected turbulent love.

.Moray Firth Radio, 31^st May 2008 – Sophie Martin, a French artiste with a stage presence quite beyond her teenage appearance and peasblossom delicacy.

.The Skinny June 2008 - Sophie Martin  is a stand out.

 

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 2007-2008

.Scotland on Sunday, 16 December 2007 – Some of the duets in the wedding scene, particularly the stylish, spiky pas de deux between Sophie Martin and her Prince and the pure romance of the ballet danced by principals Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari as Princess Aurora and the Prince, showcase Scottish Ballet’s talent at its best.

 

EIF 2007
Page’s Fearful Symmetries
.The Herald, 21 August 2007 – Erik Cavallari is the wonderfully self-possessed Alpha Male, with three stunning ballerinas – Eve Mutso, Claire Robertson and Sophie Martin – servicing the different facets of his technique.

Petronio’s Ride The Beast
. The Scotsman, 20 August 2007 - …an awkward male crumbling in the face of perfection (aka Eve Mutso and Sophie Martin)

 

SPRING 2007
Balanchine’s Agon
.Edinburgh Evening News, 19 April 2007 – It was Sophie Martin and Ruth Vaquerizo Garcia who stole the show, however. Their duet was so perfectly symmetrical that it looks as if there was only one ballerina onstage, dancing in a mirror.

Darrell’s Othello
.The Scotsman, 16 April 2007 – Sophie Martin [as Desdemona] is fast becoming a compelling force to be reckoned with.

Pastor’s In Light And Shadow
.Sunday Express, 15 April 2007 - a stunning opening duet by the breathtaking Sophie Martin partnered by Blyde

 

CINDERELLA 2006/2007
.Criticaldance.net, 10 Dec 2006 – Of the seasons, Sophie Martin (Summer) and Ruth Vaquerizo Garcia (Winter) were the standouts.

 

EIF 2006
Balanchine’s Agon
.Sunday Herald, 03 Sept 2006 – The women, especially Eve Mutso, Sophie Martin and Claire Robertson, are ravishing.

SPRING 2006
Balanchine’s Episodes
.The Daily Telegraph, 20 March 2006 - … a meditative piece that boasted some strong individual performances (Eve Mutso, Sophie Martin, Paul Liburd)…

.The Scotsman, 1 April 2006 – When Ashley Page arrived at Scottish Ballet, one of his aims was to create “star” performers, much like Royal Ballet. In Patricia Hines, Claire Robertson, Paul Liburd and Sophie Martin, he’s got them.

.Sunday Herald, 9 April 2006 – In Episodes, we are dazzled by Sophie Martin (with Adam Blyde) in the opening sequence, as she makes vivaciously slinky work of Mr B’s sharp-edged choreography.

 

AUTUMN 2005
Page’s The Pump Room
.The Herald, 12 September 2005 – Pump Room – danced by its original quartet of Diana Loosmore, Jarkko Lehmus, Sophie Martin and Paul Liburd – now feels like a thrumming pressure cooker where each heat exchange bodies threatens to blow the roof off. Utterly brilliant…

.Ballet-Dance Magazine, October 2005 - Patricia Hines and Erik Cavallari (in jazz shoes), and Sophie Martin (on pointe) and Paul Liburd all gave an excellent showing of smooth virtuostic contemporary dance.

Balanchine’s Episodes
.The Independent, 1 September 2005 – The lead couple, Sophie Martin and Adam Blyde, capture the mood perfectly in their swift, neat, measured but lyrical movements.

.Dance Scene International, October 2005 – Sophie Martin illuminates the opening Symphony.

 

SPRING 2005

Page’s The Pump Room
.The Herald, 14 April 2005 – His new piece, The Pump Room – to pistoning rhythms by Aphex Twin – celebrates the physicality and technical prowess of four dancers: Diana Loosmore (off pointe), with Jarkko Lehmus and Sophie Martin (on pointe) with Paul Liburd.

.The Observer, 1 May 2005 - The Pump Room is for two powerful men – Jarkko Lehmus and Paul Liburd (both with contemporary dance background) – interacting with rogue particle women, Diana Loosmore and Sophie Martin.

Balanchine’s Episodes
.The Independent, 19 April 2005 - Sophie Martin gives the first theme a grand, flowing shape.

 

AUTUMN 2004
Van Manen’s Two Pieces for HET
.The Stage, 23 September 2004 – Sophie Martin and Cristo Vivancos dance a beautifully different pas de deux.

.Nairnshire Telegraph, 5 October 2004 – Sophie Martin and Cristo Vivancos were equally convincing in the sexual display and sparring of the later work…