Enjoy a Highland Fling this spring with Scottish Ballet

SCOTTISH Ballet will perform a full-scale production of Matthew Bourne’s Highland Fling in Oban, Lewis, Shetland and Orkney this spring.

As part of Scottish Ballet’s commitment to bring ‘dance to everyone, from pre-school to 60-plus groups’, there will also be a series of complimentary talks, workshops and classes for all ages and levels of ability.

Affectionately known as a romantic wee ballet, Highland Fling was originally produced in 1994 by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Bourne. It is described as ‘a wonderfully imaginative re-working of the classic romantic ballet La Sylphide with a wickedly wry Scots twist and hilarity mixed with classical ballet’.

The show comes first to Oban’s Atlantis Leisure on April 29-30, then Lewis Sports Centre, Stornoway, May 3-4.

A spokesperson said: ‘This is the first time Scottish Ballet has toured a full-scale production to such remote locations and the commercial support of Loganair as official sponsors of the tour ensures performances of this romantic wee ballet can be enjoyed by local communities across Scotland.’

Scottish Ballet’s education team is currently reaching out to individuals and groups interested in receiving either a bespoke talk, class or workshop for groups including: parent and toddler groups, primary and secondary schools, 60-plus groups, Parkinson’s support groups, dementia support groups, community groups (lunch clubs, exercise classes) and local ballet schools.

The workshops for secondary school pupils and older will be using the themes, characters and music of Matthew Bourne’s Highland Fling as inspiration. The younger pupils’ workshops will be linked to Scottish Ballet’s recent popular and colourful production of Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker.

Some of the secondary school talks will be from Scottish Ballet dancers, trained by the Winning Foundation to deliver motivational talks specifically to young people, focusing on the commitment and determination required to succeed as a professional. Other talks available will be on the creation of Matthew Bourne’s Highland Fling, including the set and costume designs, and a day in the life of a dancer.

The company will also offer an adult absolute beginners’ ballet class for members of the public – a fun and gentle introduction.

The date, time and venue of this workshop will be available shortly on its website. To find out more about the programme of free events and/or to register an interest in receiving any of them, please email: education@scottishballet.co.uk