Emergence
The mesmerising ballet by Crystal Pite and a world premiere from Julia Cheng
Enter a mesmerising underworld where human-kind dissolves into something altogether more elemental.
Crystal Pite’s Emergence is a breathtaking fusion of classical ballet and raw, insect-like movement that casts dancers as swarming creatures in a darkly beautiful universe, creating spectacular formations that blur the boundaries between individual and collective consciousness.
Drawing from swarm intelligence research and bee colony behaviour, Pite explores the tension between our craving for individual agency and our deep need for collective belonging. Set to Owen Belton’s haunting music, the full company transforms into a living, breathing super-organism, moving with the urgent precision of a hive mind. “Like the best works of art, it transforms its audience, as well as its participants” (The Seattle Times).
Returning to Scotland for the first time in ten years, this bold piece showcases the explosive physicality and artistry of Scottish Ballet.
Joining Emergence is a world premiere of Entress from Julia Cheng, the acclaimed choreographer behind Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and Fiddler on the Roof, whose boundary-crossing work has earned Olivier and Chita Rivera Award nominations. Cheng’s new work features an original score and a stellar creative team.
Prepare to be consumed by two of contemporary dance’s most electrifying choreographers.
Running time: The performance lasts approximately 90 minutes including one 20-minute interval.
#SBEmergence
Tour Dates
Wednesday 21st October
Castle Douglas – Keystone Touring at Fullarton Theatre
Dundee – Dundee Contemporary Arts
Glasgow – Glasgow Film Theatre
Keswick – Alhambra Cinema | Wednesday 21st & Sunday 25th October
Lerwick, Shetland – Mareel
Newcastle upon Tyne – Tyneside Cinema
Nottingham – The Bonington
Richmond – Station Cinema
Romford – Lumiere Cinema | Wednesday 21st & Sunday 25th October
Welwyn Garden City – Campus West Cinema
October
Colchester – Firstsite | Friday 23rd & Thursday 29th October
Alnwick – Alnwick Playhouse | Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October
November
Leek – Foxlowe Arts Centre | Tuesday 24th November
January
Hertford – BEAM | Thursday 7th January (mat)
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
10 – 12 Sep 2026
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
25 – 26 Sep 2026
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
1 – 3 Oct 2026
Reviews
The Guardian (on Emergence]
The Scotsman (on Emergence]
The Herald (on Emergence]
Credits
Emergence:
Choreography
Crystal Pite
Music
Owen Belton
Set
Jay Gower Taylor
Costumes
Linda Chow
Lighting
Alan Brodie
Entress:
Choreographer
Julia Cheng
Set & Costume Designer
Yann Seabra
Composer
Isobel Waller-Bridge
Artistic Associate & Guest Percussionist
Beibei Wang
Trailer
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