Sophie martins sparklyeyed confidence creates a perfect pirouetting sugar plum, and eve mutso is a gracefully warm snow queen. Sophie martin s odetteodille, despite the costume, steals the show with layers of dramatic nuance on top of the pushed lines of dawsons steps. Following the petipa classic scenario and tchaikovsky score, the narrative focussed on the christmas festivities as seen through the eyes, heart and mind of a child. This interpretation of the nutcracker which surely has a good case to make as one of the most popular classical ballets was devised in 1973 by peter darrell, scottish ballets founding artistic director, and was performed almost constantly until 1996 when the original costumes were literally hanging by a thread. Scottish ballet principal dancer sophie martin takes us backstage of cinderella and shows us her quick transformation from rags to riches. Apr 11, 2011 scottish ballet principal dancer sophie martin talks about the experience of being alice in the run up to the productions world premiere. Scottish ballet principal dancer sophie martin talks about the experience of being alice in the run up to the productions world premiere. Barry didcock talks clothes, costumes and curtaincalls. Scottish ballet swan lake dawson premiere glasgow sophie martins odetteodille, despite the costume, steals the show with layers of dramatic nuance on top of the pushed lines of dawsons steps. This months issue has a focus on choreographerdirectors, with features on darrell, christopher wheeldon, cathy marston and more. Dec 27, 20 when he became artistic director of scottish ballet in 2002, ashley pages first creation for the company was a witty, pacy, nutcracker, the kind of boxoffice friendly production all companies need to win the hearts of the public and stabilise the finances. So many of our traditional christmas images still hark back to the victorian era the tree, the presents, the dickensian ice and snow and this ballet taps into all of that, connecting us to the heart of our christmas fantasies. She has also worked with leading dancers and choreographers in france. Sophie martin born 1984 is a french ballerina and a principal dancer with the scottish ballet.
Scottish ballet archives page 2 of 4 dancing times. Scottish ballets production of the nutcracker has just finished its run in glasgow and is going on tour. She has won a number of awards for her performances, and in 2014 she performed at the xx commonwealth games opening ceremony to a television audience of millions. Opened in 1867, theatre royal glasgow went through two fires before the turn of the century. With enough spectacle and showmanship to keep kids big and small spellbound, scottish ballets revival of peter darrels nutcracker at the festival theatre and on tour is the perfect christmas present.
Sophie martin sugar plum fairy and christopher harrison the. George balanchines rubies, the arts desk, november 2009 sophie martin was a standout soloist, her flirtatious showgirl fizz never flagging. Part of scottish ballets limited motion captured a2 poster collection. With choreography by scottish ballet founder peter darrell, and live music played by the scottish ballet orchestra, this everpopular ballet is the perfect christmas treat. With enough spectacle and showmanship to keep kids big and small spellbound, scottish ballets revival of peter darrels nutcracker at the festival theatre and on tour is the perfect christmas present radiating joy and warmth from start to finish, the latest revival of scottish. The children, members of scottish ballets associates, almost steal the show at the. Its a massive task transporting a whole show around the country, because everything goes lock, stock and barrel. Sophie martin sugar plum fairy and christopher harrison the nutcracker. If scottish ballet has a pinup, its amiable french principal sophie martin.
Dec 22, 2014 scottish ballet the nutcracker edinburgh, festival theatre december 2014. Jan 10, 20 scottish ballets production of the nutcracker has just finished its run in glasgow and is going on tour. Barry didcock talks clothes, costumes and curtaincalls with. Born in france, sophie has been a principal at scottish ballet since 2008. Find out what it takes for sophie martin to transform into a sparkling fairy in a tutu on stage in the nutcracker.
The scots magazine goes behind the scenes with the stars of scottish ballets nutcracker, sophie martin and chris harrison the cover of the december issue of the scots magazine features a stunning image of scottish ballet stars sophie martin and chris harrison and inside, theres a fabulous feature by. Sophie martins sparklyeyed confidence creates a perfect. Nov 06, 2019 posts about scottish ballet written by glasgowtheatreblog. The nutcracker by scottish ballet is a glittering, glamorous festive treat for all the family. Scottish ballet s many recent awards include the 2004 tma award for outstanding achievement in dance in recognition of its modernisation programme and dynamic performances. Scottish ballets the nutcracker, at the edinburgh festival theatre sweeps the audience away to a magical snowscape of childhood wonder and sugar confectionery. She received the award for outstanding female performance classical at the 2011 critics circle national dance awards. Principal dancers christopher harrison and sophie martin from scottish ballet answer questions ahead of the nutcrackers run at the festival theatre in edinburgh. Scottish ballet the nutcracker theatre royal glasgow. In july 2016, sophie was awarded best dance performer at the sunday herald culture awards. Sophie martin and christopher harrison in scottish ballets the nutcracker picture by andy ross festival theatre december 2017. Sophie martin and christopher harrison in scottish ballets the nutcracker picture by andy ross. The cover of the december issue of the scots magazine features a stunning image of scottish ballet stars sophie martin and chris harrison and inside, theres a fabulous feature by garry fraser about the principals and scottish ballets winter 2014 production, the nutcracker the scots magazine team was invited along to scottish ballets glasgow headquarters to photograph sophie and.
Individual posters will be posted out in a protective cardboard tube. The toy soldiers do battle with the infamous rat king jamiel laurence. Scottish ballets the nutcracker is a festive delight at. Scottish ballets the nutcracker is a festive delight at the edinburgh. Scottish ballets new swan lake is a world premiere, choreographed by david dawson, with design. Sophie martin as the sugar plum fairy brings this enchanting tale to life transporting audiences to a mysterious world through her magical charm, her stunning stage presence and her delicate dancing. Scottish ballet is the national ballet company of scotland and one of the four leading ballet companies of the united kingdom, alongside the royal ballet, english national ballet and birmingham royal ballet. Scottish ballet is scotlands national dance company.
The nutcracker, scottish ballet, edinburgh festival theatre. Tickets for scottish ballets 20202021 season are now on sale at co. Sophie martin as the sugar plum fairy and erik cavallari as the nutcracker prince head up a stellar. Jan 03, 20 christopher hampson, scottish ballet s new artistic director, has inherited a company in good shape, with strong soloists. Our festive december cover shows scottish ballets sophie martin and christopher harrison in peter darrells version of the ballet, wearing the new designs by lez brotherston. 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. Scottish ballet is prioritising the health and wellbeing of the company at this challenging time for all of us. Posts about scottish ballet written by glasgowtheatreblog. Scottish ballet are performing three ballets this christmas. See more ideas about tartan christmas, nutcracker christmas and german nutcrackers. This vibrant, vivacious production may date from 2007, but is as fresh as a daisy, or perhaps more aptly, a blossoming pink rose. Scottish ballet rehearsals for the nutcracker january 20. Performing across scotland, the uk and internationally, scottish ballet is prioritising the health and wellbeing of the company at this challenging time for all of us. She joined scottish ballet in 2003 and has danced in pages the nutcracker.
Founded in 1969, the company is based in glasgow, the resident ballet company at the glasgow theatre royal and from 2009 in their purposebuilt ballet centre in tramway arts centre, glasgow. Scottish ballet shows a unique behindthescenes look at david. David dawsons swan lake for scottish ballet dancer sophie martin photo david eustace my commissioning of david dawson to do the work is really key, because although he is a very contemporary choreographer, his passion is ballet and he absolutely adores it to the point of obsession. Sophie martin as the sugar plum fairy with erik cavallari as the prince in peter darrells the nutcracker. Scottish ballet bring the nutcracker to edinburgh this christmas and we have photos. From the lights, costumes, stage sets, props, right down to ballet. Dec 15, 2014 t his new reworking of scottish ballet founder choreographer peter darrells muchloved 1973 version pleases its midwinter audience. Dec 06, 2009 ballerina sophie martin is preparing to take centre stage in a dazzling production of the nutcracker.
Scottish ballet is the national ballet company of scotland and one of the five leading ballet. The first time i danced in the nutcracker i was dancing in the spanish dance, and i was also a mouse and a snowflake lots of different roles, she explains. Scottish ballet bring the nutcracker to edinburgh this. We might be well into winter by now, but we love the twinkling reminder of all things festive with a flicker of christmas magic for good measure. Please click here for the latest update on cancellations. Meet the team behind dance classic the nutcracker daily record. The late peter darrells choreography survived a quarter of a century, from 1973 until 1997, by when philip prowses original. Scottish ballet rehearsals for the nutcracker january. Every nutcracker has its day, and every day has its nutcracker. Photography by graham wylie featuring sophie martin and christopher harrison. Glasgow was dull and rainy but a fun place to live and it was a small company compared with the royal. Sophie martin sugar plum and eve mutso snow queen are at the top of their game stunning.
Alice 2011 being alice, with sophie martin youtube. While dancing with scottish ballet, sophie was given the opportunity to showcase her first choreographic piece. Scottish ballet s current artistic director christopher hampson joined the company in 2012. That sophie martin, scottish ballets 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 nutcracker, scottish ballet, theatre royal, glasgow.
They sparkle both metaphorically and literally, their costumes and those blinding glass ballet slippers a haze of glitter. Sophie martin and christopher harrison in scottish ballet. Sophie first performed in a production of the nutcracker when she was nineteen years old, just a few months after joining scottish ballet over 12 years ago. With enough spectacle and showmanship to keep kids big and small spellbound, scottish ballets revival of peter darrels nutcracker at the festival theatre and on tour is the perfect christmas present radiating joy and warmth from start to finish, the latest revival of scottish ballets. Scottish ballet s the nutcracker, at the edinburgh festival theatre sweeps the audience away to a magical snowscape of childhood wonder and sugar confectionery. Dec 19, 2017 the premiere of scottish ballets the nutcracker choreographed by peter darrell its founder, took place on 19 th december 1973 at the royal lyceum theatre, edinburgh. Petipas original choreography is retained, and french principal sophie martin and her english counterpart adam blyde dance it.
The years 191730 are known as his early nice period, when his principal subject remained the female figure, in this case a ballet dancer, who is the focus of the painting as matisse chose to. Standing tall through thick and thin, the theatre has since presented a wide variety of productions covering all genres, including residents scottish opera and scottish ballet. Saturday nights scottish ballet production at the edinburgh festival theatre is a festive delight that can be easily enjoyed by children and adults alike. The nutcracker, theatre royal glasgow scottish ballets production contains all the key components plus a bit extra, thanks to ashley pages unusual take on. Sophie martin and erik cavallari in scottish ballets the.
Principal, sophie martin and soloist, marge hendrick in rehearsal for the fairys kiss. She has won a number of awards for her performances, and in 2014 she performed at. A rare and highly intuitive talent, she combines rich, graceful movement with expressive and versatile acting skills. Mc 1422 ceci est mon corps is a bruising piece, full of uncompromising aggression and fierce fighting. Christopher harrison and sophie martin nutcracker prince and sugar plum fairy as well as the masterly performances by the principals constance devernay, sophie martin and christopher harrison in the lead roles lily wearmouth as clara is a delightful, dainty dancer and jack burns, a cheeky wee fritz. She started with ashleys nutcracker which had such fun choreography and she coveted some of the roles. They both insist they are just normal people who meet friends and go for pizza but also remind us that they have been training for this all their lives. To celebrate their 20202021 season launch, scottish ballet collaborated with artist alan mcgowan to create a specially commissioned visual art projection that was unveiled in edinburgh tonight. The nutcracker is the most popular of all the traditional christmas treats for balletomanes, with a slightly incoherent plot which is basically an elaborate frame for the wellloved, colourful and very accessible. After a festive run in scotland, scottish ballets the nutcracker takes to the theatre royal stage until saturday 3rd february. Hansel and gretel, scottish ballet, theatre royal, glasgow. But sometimes history repeats itself, and so it was that i found myself last night in edinburghs festival theatre, scene of my own childhood encounters with ballet, preparing to watch peter darrells nutcracker, the very same production that i and thousands of other scottish children were raised on between 1973 and winter. Scottish ballet the nutcracker theatre royal glasgow atg.
Sophie martin and christopher harrison in the lead roles lily wearmouth as clara is a delightful, dainty dancer and jack burns, a cheeky wee fritz. Most successful are eve mutso and sophie martin as the wicked step. Angelin preljocaj was the first to capitalise on the lack of budget for shirts, putting his 12 men in long black skirts instead. Announcing the 20202021 season launch christopher hampson. Inside scotlands national dance company, inspiring on stage and beyond. Sophie martin is an appealing marie, wideeyed in the party scenes, with. Scottish ballet the nutcracker edinburgh, festival theatre december 2014. Scottish ballets the nutcracker, at the edinburgh festival theatre sweeps. A day in the life of the sugar plum fairy scottish ballet. Scottish ballets the nutcracker is a festive delight at the edinburgh festival theatre. Sophie martin and christopher harrison in scottish ballets. Scottish ballets the nutcracker will finish its tour. Go behindthescenes of peter darrells the nutcracker, with insights from artistic director christopher hampson, head of wardrobe caro harkness and production scottish ballet. The cover of the december issue of the scots magazine features a stunning image of scottish ballet stars sophie martin and chris harrison and inside, theres a fabulous feature by garry fraser about the principals and scottish ballets winter 2014 production, the nutcracker.
In a cavernous workshop in the bowels of scottish ballets glasgow headquarters, 22yearold dancer barnaby rook bishop is standing splayfooted. Scottish ballet the nutcracker edinburgh dancetabs. The nutcracker, edinburgh festival theatre for some, it will be a journey down memory lane, for others, a voyage of discovery. Sophie was number 20 in the list magazines hot 100 poll of influential figures in scottish culture in december 2008. The nutcracker, scottish ballet, edinburgh festival. Scottish ballet secret weapon sophie martin born in cherbourg, northern france, sophie martin is one of scottish ballets bestloved dancers and a real secret weapon, having been a principal dancer with the company since 2008. Born in cherbourg, northern france, sophie martin is one of scottish ballets bestloved dancers and a real secret weapon, having been a principal dancer with the company since 2008. Sep 10, 2014 principal dancers christopher harrison and sophie martin from scottish ballet answer questions ahead of the nutcracker s run at the festival theatre in edinburgh. Pages in category scottish ballet principal dancers the following 6 pages are in this category, out of 6 total. Throughout her time at rcs, rachel was able to work with esteemed dancers and choreographers such as. George balanchines rubies, the arts desk, november 2009 sophie martin was a stand. Ballerina sophie martin is preparing to take centre stage in a dazzling production of the nutcracker. Scottish ballet revive their acclaimed production choreographed by the late peter darrell, first premiering in 1973 at the lyceum, at the festival theatre this winter.