Scottish Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Tour at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Scottish Ballet have had an eventful 2021, with the pinnacle being their long planned moved to the Tramway arts centre - Scottish Ballet’s new purpose built headquarters. The year has also included a tour to China, the launch of a retrospective book and a partnership to launch a degree in modern ballet. All of this coincides with the 40th anniversary of Scottish Ballet. What better way to celebrate than with an Autumn tour across Scotland, which revisits three of Scottish Ballet’s earlier productions.
It was fitting Ashley Page, Scottish Ballet’s Artistic Director, should say a few words before the start. Page can take great credit for the respect Scottish Ballet now earn in Scotland and beyond. It was also a further illustration of the forward thinking approach Scottish Ballet have adopted, with the opportunity taken to promote a key sponsor and present a jewelled prize to a lucky audience member.
Rubies, taken from George Balanchine’s full-length ballet Jewels opened Scottish Ballet’s 40th Anniversary tour at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Here gorgeous “ruby” encrusted outfits are brought to life by fun, fast-paced and at times cheeky moves, all set to Stravinsky’s upbeat and engaging score.
The second performance is Scottish Ballet’s interpretation of William Forsythe’s Workwithinwork, which will be familiar to Edinburgh International Festival goers as it was shown only last month. With just a couple of violinists, a bare set, minimal lighting, basic costumes and precise choreography Workwithinwork demonstrates the skill of those on stage.
The fitting finale is the Krzysztof Pastor choreographed In Light and Shadow. This remains one of Pastor’s most popular works and rightly so. The tone is celebratory, the imagery is often vibrant and the choreography enchants and enthralls. It would be a struggle to name a piece which suits the music as well as In Light and Shadow does.
The rapturous applause at the end of Scottish Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Autumn Tour said so much about the warmth felt for Scotland’s national dance company. The three selections for Scottish Ballet’s 40th anniversary were a great choice to showcase the company’s talent and were of the high standard we’ve come to expect from Scottish Ballet.
Tickets are still available for Scottish Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Tour at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre . Prices start from just £10. The remaining tour dates are:
- Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (15 – 17 October)
- His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (23 – 24 October)
- Eden Court, Inverness (30 – 31 October)
Having seen Scottish Ballet at the Edinburgh Festival this year I was slightly disappointment to see Workwithinwork on the programme. However Rubies and Light and Shadow more than made up for it. They were both excellent.