Scottish Ballet – Emergence at Glasgow Theatre Royal Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Deb Mackenzie

Emergence

A much acclaimed choreographer Crystal Pite’s first works, Emergence, has reappeared after a decade that Scottish Ballet first astonished its audiences. This contemporary ballet is a fusion of classical ballet and raw, insect-like movements. The set design by Jay Gower Taylor is minimalistic with draped sheets over the stage, which reminded me of a nest.

Although in the write up it says ‘ants’, for me it was more like a clutter of spiderlings breaking free from their sac. Watching the dancers pulsate as a group give the awaking, the breaking free, where they need to work together before being a single entity.

Emergence is exploring the concept of how we are wanting to be the bigger part of a group, where working together is pivotal for survival, yet we yearn to stand out from the crowd. Both of these are showcased.

The lighting is moody, stunning and gives electric to the dancers as it highlights their movements, the way the body moves, as a group together. It is eye-catchingly beautiful where you sit up pay attention and don’t dare to blink in fear of missing even one movement.

This was my first experience of such a large number of dancers appearing together; the way they all moved as one. Whether they rolled over stage to the next line up; or pointed up hands, legs everyone was so in tune with each other. For me it was something I didn’t want to end; it was stunning, provoking and mind blowing mixed together.

Entress

What a treat it was to be the first to see this new work of Julia Cheng. I have to be honest and had to look up the meaning of ‘Entress’ but once able to read the program it was explained; it is an old Scottish word meaning the right to enter, or an entrance.

Marrying these two performances on the same night, both being ‘firsts’ for their choreographers worked exceptionally well. Although each title had similar meanings the two productions were completely different.

The set was like a tunnel where the dancers emerged into a world that Cheng envisioned as the world we are living in today. How we are bombarded with information that at times we do not know how to respond.

Cheng says “the theme of Entress is transforming pain and suffering into power and rebirth – purging the emotions, the need to release; combustion. It’s about connecting, finding common ground, and exploring how our personal experiences can be expressed as honestly as possible. I think when you’re truly connected to something in an honest place, it will transfer to the people watching.”

This statement sums up the performance, the way a group of dancers came on stage walking on pointe; my feet still hurt with the thought of how they managed to stay so long walking as one across the stage.

For both performances the music, lighting and how in unison the dancers were gave the audience a night they will not forget. It was poetry in motion; themes that are close to our hearts all giving us something to digest in the grand scheme of life.

https://scottishballet.co.uk/whats-on/emergence/
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
10 – 12 September 2026
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
25 – 26 September 2026

Edinburgh Festival Theatre
1 – 3 October 2026

Running time approx 90mins including 20 minute interval

Rating: 5/5 stars

Photo by Andy Ross