Annual Report 2011/12
Scottish Ballet Tramway 25 Albert Drive Glasgow G41 2PE General Telephone +44 (0) 141 331 2931 Website www.scottishballet.co.uk
Published April 2013 Front cover: Sophie Martin and Adam Blyde in Jorma Elo’s Kings 2 Ends. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Scottish Ballet Annual Report 2011/12
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Scottish Ballet is... •
Scotland’s National Dance Company
•
Engaged in creating opportunities to share its work to the widest possible audience
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Looking to awaken interest and ignite passion in the arts
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Continuing to seek, nurture and foster talent within Scotland
Bethany Kingsley Garner and Remi Andreoni. Photograph Andrew Ross.
Tomomi Sato in The Sleeping Beauty. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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Introduction
Sophie Laplane. Photograph Andrew Ross.
Scottish Ballet is Scotland’s National Dance Company and presents a wide range of high-quality dance to audiences across Scotland, the UK and abroad, with strong classical technique at the root of all of its work. This includes new versions of classic titles, as well as seminal modern works from 20th century choreographers, signature pieces by living choreographers, and new commissions. The company regularly tours to large-scale venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness and periodically undertakes small-scale touring across Scotland. Strategic partnerships have been formed with the leading venues in the capital cities of the UK’s other nations, i.e. Belfast, Cardiff and London. The company has an established relationship with Edinburgh International Festival and continues to pursue opportunities abroad. As well as presenting in conventional dance venues, Scottish Ballet is continually seeking new creative opportunities to promote and showcase its work to the widest possible audience, be it through digital media, in unusual locations, or at one-off events. 2011/12 has been another successful year for Scottish Ballet. The economic climate remains very challenging, and has resulted in reductions in core public funding. Nevertheless, the company has maintained growth in artistic and educational programmes and partnerships, as well as maintaining strong box office income.
2011/12 has been another successful year for Scottish Ballet
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2011/12 The 2011/12 season saw Scottish Ballet present two world premieres — a full length spring production of Alice with choreography by Ashley Page and a newly commissioned score by Robert Moran, and Jorma Elo’s Kings 2 Ends which premiered as part of the company’s Edinburgh International Festival programme. Kings 2 Ends also toured as part of Scottish Ballet’s extended Autumn Season which included an international tour to the USA as well as a run of performances at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal and London’s Sadler’s Wells.
Erik Cavallari, Sophie Martin and Adam Blyde in MacMillan’s Song of the Earth. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Noellie Conjeaud and Teun van Roosmalen in Jorma Elo’s Kings 2 Ends. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Quenby Hersh and Daniel Davidson in Pennies from Heaven. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Sophie Martin in Alice. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Audiences and Productions
A Scottish Ballet audience at Theatre Royal Glasgow. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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In Theatres During 2011/12, Scottish Ballet presented 77 performances to 73,772 people, serving audiences from all over Scotland, as well as the UK and the USA. The Company’s £10 ticket for under 26s, students and unwaged, which was created to encourage new audiences to try ballet, continued to be extremely successful, with a 100% increase in uptake.
77
performances
73,772 people
Daniel Davidson and Sophie Laplane. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Scottish Ballet Annual Report 2011/12
Online Scottish Ballet’s online presence enjoyed continued growth, successfully encouraging people to interact with the company across a wide range of online and social media platforms. During 2011/12 www.scottishballet.co.uk received 193,358 visits, a 20% increase on the previous year. Social media followers increased substantially throughout the year, reaching a total of 12,131 followers across Facebook and Twitter — a 28% increase from 2010/11. Short films to accompany productions, education projects, and to promote the Company as a whole continued to prove popular online, with video views on YouTube and Vimeo reaching a total of 111,402.
f l v x o
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Quenby Hersh in Alice. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
The 2011/12 Season
Sophie Martin as The Sleeping Beauty.
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Alice: A Very Important Date In April 2011, Scottish Ballet premiered Ashley Page’s Alice. A new take on Lewis Carroll’s cherished stories the production combined episodes from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and was accompanied by a specially commissioned score by Robert Moran performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. “A tremendously inventive and superbly danced production.” The Herald
Sophie Martin, Quenby Hersh and Tomomi Sato in Alice.
Brenda Lee Grech as Tweedledum and Bethany Kingsley-Garner as Tweedledee in Alice.
Amy Hadley, Sohpie Martin, Tama Barry and Victor Zarallo in Alice. All photographs this page by Andrew Ross.
Scottish Ballet Annual Report 2011/12
Edinburgh International Festival 2011 In August 2011, Scottish Ballet presented a double bill as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, the world premiere of Kings 2 Ends by Jorma Elo and the Scottish premiere of Kenneth MacMillan’s Song of the Earth. “It is a coup for the company to acquire Song of the Earth; even more to dance it so unexpectedly well.” The Guardian “For more than 40 years, Scottish Ballet has been one of the most vibrant and interesting companies on the UK dance scene. It is a ballet company born of a well considered vision and the desire to prove that there can be good ballet without grandiose spectacle… I have long admired the way the company has constantly positioned and marketed itself, successfully tackling an artistically eclectic range of genres and styles, but without ever going beyond its artistic limitations. Add to that its good artists and excellent dancers, and you will have a clear idea of why Scottish Ballet has long occupied a very special place in the hearts of ballet-goers and critics alike.” The Spectator Scottish Ballet subsequently toured this programme to the USA and to Sadler’s Wells in London in Autumn 2011, visiting America for the first time in over 20 years. “The company proved its versatility and creativity — and did away with any stereotypical notions of men in kilts.” Los Angeles Magazine “…lovely duets that demonstrated the company’s assured partnering. Sophie Martin [was] a mesmerizing presence as a loner adrift in the world […and] the equally impressive Erik Cavallari; their concluding love duet made the heart tingle.” Los Angeles Times
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Adam Blyde, Eve Mutso and Tama Barry in Song of the Earth. Photograph by Nisbet Wylie.
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The Sleeping Beauty: A Magical Take on a Timeless Tale Scottish Ballet’s winter season 2011/12 was a revival of Ashley Page’s spellbinding re-telling of the treasured fairytale The Sleeping Beauty (first premiered in 2007). This production was a feast for families across Scotland and beyond receiving 5 star reviews throughout. “The beauty of the show is that it dances perfectly upon a tightrope, maintaining a tremendous balance between the traditional and the outlandish.” The Telegraph “The current company rise to this challenge with finesse at every level.” The Herald “A wonderful mix of classical and modern, gorgeous costumes and wonderful music” Audience Member
The Company in The Sleeping Beauty. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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During the course of the year, Scottish Ballet continued to develop partnerships with other cultural organisations. In collaboration with the National Library of Scotland, early editions of Lewis Carroll’s Alice books and other archive material from the NLS collection were displayed in an exhibition running in conjunction with Alice. The company also worked on a number of projects with National Museums Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, and Edinburgh International Science Festival. As the year drew to a close, our partnership with Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art reached its climax with the conclusion of artist Rosalind Nashashibi’s residency; the resulting artwork — Lovely Young People (Beautiful Supple Bodies) — exhibited at the GI Festival Hub in April/May 2012.
Rosalind Nashashibi at work in Scottish Ballet. Photograph by Eve McConnachie
Adam Blyde in rehearsals. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Join In! At Scottish Ballet, education is everywhere. Our Education team works with a wide range of participants aged from just 18 months to 80 plus and presents a wide variety of opportunities to access the company and its work ranging from special projects designed to engage with new audiences, groups and artforms to classes, workshops and illustrated talks. Scottish Ballet offers something for everyone whether someone wants to dance, see costumes up close, meet new friends or just hear about what happens ‘behind the scenes’.
Member of Scottish Ballet’s Regenerate group. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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Join In On Tour Created to unlock the repertoire for audience members, Scottish Ballet’s pre-show talks, insight events, Ballet Cafés, creative workshops and schools workshops reached 3,485 people throughout 2011/12.
Scottish Ballet workshop. Photograph by Alicja Jaskiewicz.
Scottish Ballet Find Your Feet workshop. Photograph by Laura Rangil.
3,485 people
Attendees aged 18 months to over 80 years.
Ballet Café event. Photograph by David Barz.
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The Hatter’s Garden In spring 2011 we presented The Hatter’s Garden, a project for young people inspired by Scottish Ballet’s production of Alice. The project saw 105* young people with a background in dance or parkour working together with Scottish Ballet and Glasgow Parkour Coaching to create a unique site-specific performance in the Hidden Gardens next to Scottish Ballet’s headquarters at Tramway. An audience of 912 people watched this special dance and parkour performance.
Scottish Ballet’s Hatters Garden project. All photographs by Alicja Jaskiewicz.
25%
*
of participants were male
105 young people with a background in dance or parkour working together.
Audience of
912
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40 Winks A brand new initiative designed especially to engage with young children aged 3+, 40 Winks introduced The Sleeping Beauty’s characters and story with a special performance. Participants also had the chance to experience dance for themselves through a practical workshop and unlock the magic of the story through specially created online resources. With an audience of 987 for this one-off event, 40 Winks proved hugely popular.
Audience of
987
for a one-off event
Scottish Ballet Education event in Theatre Royal, Glasgow. All photographs by Andrew Ross.
40 Winks proved hugely popular
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Audio Described Performances and Touch Tour Scottish Ballet continues to offer audio-described performances in most venues, giving visually impaired patrons the opportunity to experience dance. All audio described performances are preceded by a touch tour in which patrons have the chance to get close to the props and costumes.
Giving visually impaired patrons the opportunity to experience dance Scottish Ballet Touch tour. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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Join In with community classes During 2011/12 Scottish Ballet’s Education team welcomed almost 5,000 participants to a variety of classes from evening ballet classes for beginners and more experienced dancers to Regenerate, Wee Mice and SBYC classes which cater for participants aged 3 to 60+.
5,000 education participants
Scottish Ballet Wee Mice class. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
SBYC’s Stride Out group was selected for the national finals of the ‘U Dance’ competition held in February in Stirling. The group was delighted to participate in this competitive and very exciting youth dance event for Scotland.
SBCY class. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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Desire Project Scottish Ballet and National Galleries Scotland worked in partnership on a performance project to nurture gifted and talented students in dance and visual art, giving them the opportunity to explore artistic collaboration. Students from across disciplines worked together to create original performances for the public at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in March 2012. In response to the themes from Scottish Ballet’s new production of A Streetcar Named Desire, created for the spring 2012 season, the students used a variety of stimuli to create original performances. These included themes and quotes from the Tennessee Williams’ play, works of art from the National Galleries of Scotland collection, and performance spaces/environments within the gallery.
Photographs with permission from National Galleries of Scotland.
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Join In Online For the first time, Scottish Ballet provided backstage access to a global audience via a live webcast from the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh as the company prepared to go on stage with Alice. The broadcast, which was shown simultaneously to an invited audience at the National Library, received nearly 5,000 views and inspired an active stream of conversation across social media platforms.
5,000 views
Scottish Ballet Alice webcast.
Luciana Ravizzi in rehearsals. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Ballet Stars of the Future
Scottish Ballet Associate. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
Scottish Ballet Annual Report 2011/12
Associate Programme The Associate Programme aims to nurture young, talented dancers and enable them to prepare for vocational training to develop a professional career in dance. There are three levels of the Programme, comprising Junior Associates (Primary 6 and 7), Mid Associates (Secondary 1 and 2) and Senior Associates (Secondary 3-5). The 2011/12 session of the Associate Programme showed further development, particularly at the Mid Associate level. From the introduction of the Mid Associates in 2009, classes were offered initially on a fortnightly basis. However, in response to feedback from parents, students and teachers, this increased to weekly classes for the 2011/12 session. The benefits of this additional level of training are now becoming apparent, with 95% of the students who were successful in the auditions for the Senior Associate level, feeding through from Mid Associate level. The training year is divided into three terms, following that of the school year, with participants continuing to attend their regular, local dance classes. The Associate Programme compliments this, providing a continuous professional training strand in a Company environment. All classes are held at Scottish Ballet’s headquarters at Tramway and are accompanied by live music. Kerry Livingstone, Head of the Associate Programme, has designed the Associate classes to link to the work of Scottish Ballet; therefore, as well as technique classes the Associates have repertoire-based sessions with dancers from Scottish Ballet (based on current repertoire) and attend performances. In addition, the students study creative, contemporary, character dance, alongside Pilates, pointe work and virtuosity. Mid and Senior level Associates are also introduced to Gyrokinesis, a series of exercises designed to increase flexibility and strength. “I love going to Mids. I always learn new things every time I go and I can’t wait for each week to come.” Mid Associate participant
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Looking to the Future Demand for places is high, with a particularly strong number of applications for Mid and Senior Associates in 2012. Almost 500 children auditioned for a place in the programme from all over Scotland. There were enough applicants of the appropriate quality to allow the boys class in the monthly Junior Associate programme to be continued. The success of the programme is most easily judged by the success of the students in gaining places in full-time vocational schools. The aim of the programme is to give students the skills to gain one of the few funded places and all of the final year students who wished to pursue a career in dance won scholarships. Throughout 2011/12 students from the programme were offered places at the following schools: The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, The Dance School of Scotland, Elmhurst School of Dance, Rambert School, and Ballet West.
500
children auditioned
The aim of the programme is to give students the skills to gain one of the few funded places Scottish Ballet Associate. Photograph by Andrew Ross
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BA Modern Ballet BA Modern Ballet Students.
This year the BA Modern Ballet, which commenced in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in September 2009, produced its first graduates. The final rung in the ladder of vocational ballet training did not previously exist in Scotland, so exceptionally talented young people, no matter how highly skilled, would need to leave Scotland in order to complete their training. This critical gap in provision has now been filled, ensuring that native talent has the potential to be fully realised at home, as well as creating the opportunity for talented students from overseas to study under the auspices of Scotland’s national dance company in a conservatoire environment. Associate students also benefit from the link with the BA Modern Ballet Programme, which is delivered in partnership between Scottish Ballet and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Students have had classes with staff from the degree programme and, in 2012, we were delighted when 5 Senior Associates successfully auditioned for the Conservatoire and chose to pursue their full-time dance training there. This year, the PG Dip (Pianist for Dance), also delivered in association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, evolved into a two year masters; it remains the only course of its kind in Europe.
The PG Dip (Pianist for Dance) remains the only course of its kind in Europe
Supporting Scottish Ballet
Every year Scottish Ballet’s donors, sponsors, Friends and Director’s Circle members make a huge difference to helping Scottish Ballet produce new work and create opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in learning and participating.
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Productive Partnerships, at Home and on Tour Sophie Laplane and Daniel Davidson. Photograph Andrew Ross.
Companies of many types sponsor Scottish Ballet, supporting the innovation of and investment in the highest quality dance. Supporters range from Scottish suppliers specialising in bespoke products who help Scottish Ballet in practical ways to international branches of investment businesses or the tour sponsors who benefit from significant marketing benefits and enjoy a distinctive relationship with the company. Throughout 2011/12 Scottish Ballet was delighted to welcome Cazenove Capital as Corporate Dance Partners; Shell as Education partners; Aberdeen Asset Management who sponsored the opening night of our USA tour; MAC who reinvigorated their sponsorship of Scottish Ballet’s make-up and held a master class for the dancers; and Inverarity One to One who produced special bottles of wine for Alice featuring bespoke Scottish Ballet labels. Every sponsor has a different motivation, and Scottish Ballet’s Development team works with them to create a bespoke package to ensure their marketing or corporate responsibility needs are met. Some companies choose to bring clients to events; others use the opportunity to say thank you to their staff, whereas some enjoy the brand association that comes with a tour sponsorship.
Supporting the innovation of and investment in the highest quality dance
(Opposite page) Paul Liburd as the Romanian Prince, Christopher Harrison as the Austrian Prince, Claire Robertson as Aurora, Tama Barry as the Russian Prince and Gregory Dean as the French Prince in The Sleeping Beauty. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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A Very Special Partnership As part of a continuing relationship, private bank Adam & Company came on board as headline sponsor of the world premiere tour of Alice. Sponsorship of this kind was a new opportunity for Adam & Company, offering them a diverse audience demographic and access to performances across the UK.
Conceived by Ashley Page Antony Mcdonald Original music by Robert Moran
Scottish Ballet’s dedication to staging performances of the highest standards reflected perfectly Adam & Company’s aim to provide the very highest levels of service to all of its clients. Of the Alice tour, sponsorship Graham Storrie, Managing Director of Adam & Company said: “Adam & Company is delighted to be continuing its sponsorship of Scottish Ballet and to be further developing our partnership for this production of Alice.”
World Premiere
For full details visit www.scottishballet.co.uk
Illustrations by Timorous Beasties | Photography by Nisbet & Wylie | Registered in Scotland No. SC065497 | Registered Charity No. SC008037
“As with all of our sponsorships that have charitable status, we feel that it is important to provide our support, particularly in such challenging economic times, so that we can help preserve this wonderful art for future generations and enable outstanding work to be produced and performed. “Simultaneously, it is important for us to be able to thank our clients for their support and provide access to bespoke rehearsals and productions and our association with Scottish Ballet is an excellent way of showing our appreciation.”
It is important for us to be able to thank our clients for their support... Scottish Ballet is an excellent way of showing our appreciation
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Up Close and Personal The Friends of Scottish Ballet and the Director’s Circle members are the generous people who get closer to Scottish Ballet. By making regular donations, they help provide secure income for the Company and have an opportunity to attend special events to learn more and see the difference their support makes. This wonderful group contributed £72,820 during 2011/12 — enough to pay for Education projects for six months or for more than 2,000 pairs of shoes. To the 619 people, organisations, charitable trusts, businesses and those who remembered Scottish Ballet in their wills, THANK YOU. This support is vital to Scottish Ballet and every gift is valued, whether it’s £1 or £100,000; this kindness and support helps keep Scottish Ballet on its toes.
Thank You!
Lucianna Ravizzi. Photograph by Graham Wylie
This kindness and support helps keep Scottish Ballet on its toes
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Achievements and Awards During the course of the year, Scottish Ballet received a number of major industry awards. Partnerships with Brooks Brothers and Reid were recognised with Arts & Business Awards, and following numerous previous awards, Scottish Ballet headquarters at Tramway, designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, was shortlisted for a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award. Ashley Page received a Herald Archangel Award for his work with Scottish Ballet and Principal dancer, Sophie Martin, received the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Classical).
Arts & Business Awards
RIBA Award
During the course of the year, Scottish Ballet received a number of major industry awards.
Herald Archangel Award
Critics’ Circle National Dance Award
Adam Blyde and Sophie Martin in Song of the Earth. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
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Looking to the Future In November 2011, Christopher Hampson was announced as new Artistic Director to succeed Ashley Page. In making this appointment, the aim is to realise an even wider commissioning vision and breadth of distinctive programming, and to engage even further with local and international artists to develop new partnerships and approaches so that Scottish Ballet continues to enrich, enthuse and inspire audiences throughout Scotland and sustain a dynamic presence on the international stage. Christopher Hampson in rehearsals. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
In making this appointment, the aim is to realise an even wider commissioning vision and breadth of distinctive programming
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Supporters and Funders Activity during 2011/12 was made possible through substantial public and private support from the following organisations and individuals:
Trust and Foundation Support
ESTABLISHED 1818
Director’s Circle
Corporate Support
Dave and Jan Baird Michael Berry Iain and Marion Barclay Laura Buist Fiona Cairns Dennis Carmichael Carina and Victor Contini Jacquelynn Craw Sir Sandy and Lady Crombie Dominic and Ann-Marie Fry Philip and Raine Gardner Kate and Gavin Gemmell Heather Gordon Julian and Julie Keanie Andrew Low Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden Duncan and Una McGhie Judith and Douglas Maccoll Lord and Lady Penrose Caroline Roxburgh Sir Muir and Lady Russell Ann and Derek Shepherd Alastair Stewart Deborah Stewartby Graeme Taylor Leslie and Alma Wolfson And anonymous donations
The Robertson Trust Adaline Calder Memorial Trust Aberdeen Endowment Trust Barcapel Foundation Castansa Trust Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Jean R Stirrat’s Charitable Trust John Mather Charitable Trust John Watson’s Trust MEB Charitable Trust Mrs J M F Charitable Trust The Binks Trust The Cruden Foundation The Hugh Fraser Foundation The James Wood Bequest Fund The JTH Charitable Trust The Leche Trust The Martin Connell Charitable Trust The Merchants House of Glasgow The Russell Trust The TC Charitable Trust The Verden Sykes Trust The W M Mann Foundation The W A Cargill Fund The Whitley Trust
Registered Charity No SC008037. Registered in Scotland No SC065497.