Scottish Ballet offers a variety of events designed to provide an illuminating insight into the current programme. Find out more about free pre-show talks, Insights, Ballet Cafe and audio described performances for the visually impaired below. 

Pre-show talks

Join members of Scottish Ballet's Artistic and Music teams for a fascinating free half-hour insight into the making of The Nutcracker. An exciting opportunity to ask anything you ever wanted to know about Scottish Ballet! 

Tickets FREE but must be booked at the box office. 

The Nutcracker pre-show talks

Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Thu 13 and Fri 14 December 2012 at 6.30pm
Box office: 0844 871 7673

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Thu 10 and Sat 12 January 2013 at 6.30pm
Box office: 0131 529 6000

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Thu 17 and Fri 18 January 2013 at 6.30pm
Box office: 01224 641122 

Eden Court, Inverness
Thu 24 and Sat 26 January 2013 at 6.30pm
Box office: 01463 234 234

Grand Opera House, Belfast
Friday 1 February 2013 at 6.30pm
Box office: 028 9024 1919

Post-show talk

Join members of Scottish Ballet's Artistic and Music teams for a free talk after enjoing a performance of The Nutcracker.

Tickets FREE - no booking required

The Nutcracker post-show talk

Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Fri 21 December after the 6.pm performance.

Family Insight

Take a little time out to discover the inspirations behind The Nutcracker's choreography, characters, music and designs. These insights offer the fascinating experience of watching the Company taking class on stage and, time permitting, talking to one of the dancers about their career. 

Scottish Ballet currently offers two Insight events: a Family Insight for ages 6+, and an Insight suitable for ages 10+. 

Tickets: £6.50/£3.50 concession.

The Nutcracker Insight

Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Family Insight - Saturday 15 December 2012 at 11am.
Sold Out

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Family Insight - Saturday 12 January 2013 at 11am.
Sold Out

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Family Insight - Saturday 19 January 2013 at 11am.
Box office: 01224 641122* 

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Family Insight - Saturday 26 January 2013 at 11am.
Box office: 01463 234 234* 

Grand Opera House, Belfast
Family Insight - Saturday 2 February 2013 at 11.am
Box office: 028 9024 1919

*booking fee

Ballet Cafe

A fun and social afternoon for those aged 50+ where participants are invited to take part in a beginners' dance session, listen to an illustrated talk on The Nutcracker and relax for a chat over tea and cakes. 

The Nutcracker Ballet Cafes

Glasgow (Tramway)
Wednesday 12 December 2012 at 2pm 

Edinburgh (National Museum of Scotland)
Sold Out

Aberdeen (Workshop at City Moves followed by tea and talk in Education Studio, His Majesty’s Theatre)
Wednesday 16 January 2013 at 2pm

Inverness (Eden Court)
Wednesday 23 January 2013 at 2pm

To book for Ballet Cafe events, contact Lorna Murray, Education Manager, on education@scottishballet.co.uk or 0141 331 6285.

Ballet Cafe tickets are £10 per person.

Audio-described performances

Scottish Ballet provides live audio description for visually impaired patrons. Once patrons have booked to attend an audio described performance, they will receive a CD containing a brief synopsis of the ballet and detailed descriptions of characters, costumes and set. Cast lists and programme articles are also available in Braille or large print on request.

Prior to the described performance, a Touch Tour is offered: patrons gather in the stalls and have the opportunity to get up close to a selection of costumes and props as well as to ask questions about the production and learn some of the dance vocabulary which is used in the live description. 

Approximately 15 minutes before curtain up, the live description begins with a recap of the synopsis, characters, costumes and sets, and details the cast for the forthcoming performance. As the curtain rises, the audio description synchronises with the choreography. 

The Nutcracker audio described performances

Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Thu 20 December 2012 at 2pm, preceded by a Touch Tour at 12.30pm.
Box office: 0844 871 7673*

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Sat 12 January 2013 at 2pm, preceded by a Touch Tour at 12.30pm.
Box office: 0131 529 6000*

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Saturday 19 January 2013 at 2pm, preceded by a Touch Tour at 12.30pm.
Box office: 01224 641122*

Eden Court, Inverness
Saturday 26 January 2013 at 2pm, preceded by a Touch Tour at 12.30pm.
Box office: 01463 234 234*  

*booking fee