WORLD PREMIERE TOUR

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Sponsored by Adam & Company

Touring Glasgow / Edinburgh / London / Aberdeen / Inverness / Belfast April – May 2012

In the 65th anniversary year of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Scottish Ballet presents a brand new production of A Streetcar Named Desire sponsored by Adam & Company, the first of two world premiere pieces from Scotland’s national dance company in 2012.

Trying to leave a troubled past behind her, fading southern belle Blanche DuBois moves into her sister Stella’s New Orleans apartment. Stella’s brutish husband Stanley sees that Blanche is not what she appears to be, and sets out to destroy her.

In a production set to a specially commissioned jazz-inspired score by award-winning composer Peter Salem, Scottish Ballet continues to push the boundaries of modern ballet in a first time collaboration with both a theatre and film director (Nancy Meckler) and choreographer (Annabelle Lopez Ochoa).

“Coming into the world of dance from a theatre background is a new and thrilling adventure,” says Nancy. “I have hugely enjoyed the process of working with Annabelle to explore exciting ways to re-imagine Tennessee Williams’ passionate story through the imagery of dance.”

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to translate this incredible story about desires into dance movement,” continues Annabelle. “From the moment I first read A Streetcar Named Desire, I knew I wanted to make it into a ballet. It is a wonderful challenge to reinterpret the intense drama and complex psychology of the characters, and the chemistry of the collaboration is incredible.”

Nancy, Artistic Director for Shared Experience Theatre, has previously directed for the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company amongst others, and on Broadway and in the West End. She has also directed two feature films – Sister My Sister and Alive and Kicking. Annabelle is an award-winning choreographer and has made works for Dutch National Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders and more, and recently created choreography for international fashion designers Viktor & Rolf. This joint collaboration with Nancy and Annabelle promises a powerful infusion of drama and dance, and will be set to a brand new jazz score, played live by the Scottish Ballet orchestra, from composer Peter Salem whose most recent work included the music for critically acclaimed three-part BBC drama Five Daughters. This brand new production for Scottish Ballet will also feature striking vintage styled costumes and an atmospheric stripped back yet powerful set from designer Niki Turner.

“The intention behind this collaborative project was to attempt to approach narrative from an alternative starting point, and to examine how the different energy of a theatre director might trigger a new reaction from the dancers,” explains Scottish Ballet’s Artistic Director Ashley Page.

“Having previously seen Nancy’s work with her own company, Shared Experience, it was clear to me that she was very interested in the physical side of drama, and in looking at how you can say things with movement in a way that is sometimes more expressive and more evocative than with words.

“Annabelle is a choreographer who has worked in many genres across the theatre, and her experience with actors as well as with dancers ideally places her to work alongside Nancy to bring this evocative drama to life in a new way.”

A Streetcar Named Desire is sponsored by private bank Adam & Company, a relationship established in 2009 and one that continues to grow and develop.

“In this Year of Creative Scotland, we are delighted to be bringing to audiences in Scotland and beyond this bold new interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ revered work,” commented Scottish Ballet Chief Executive / Executive Producer Cindy Sughrue. “A Streetcar Named Desire is not only a collaboration of creativity but once more sees Scottish Ballet partner with Adam & Company, a respected Scottish financial institution whose continuing commitment to supporting the arts is to be applauded. We look forward to working with them again as we embark on this creative journey.”

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 A Streetcar Named Desire.

“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 achieving this.”

In this spirit of collaboration, Scottish Ballet will join forces with National Galleries Scotland for Desire; an innovative performance project that explores what participants and audiences desire from dance. Choreographed and created by talented students from Telford College and Broughton High School, the performance will be inspired by the themes of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire and The Sculpture Show – a celebration of sculpture in its many forms currently exhibited at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and featuring work by artists ranging from Degas to Damien Hirst. The resulting performances will be unveiled at two free performances on Saturday 24 March at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh.*

Scottish Ballet presents a range of opportunities to find out more about the themes and making of this brand new production through its Get Closer activities. Hear about the making of A Streetcar Named Desire direct from members of Scottish Ballet’s Artistic and Music staff at a range of free pre-show talks throughout the tour; discover the inspiration behind the choreography, music and designs and watch the Company taking class on stage by attending an Insight event, or give way to temptation at Ballet Café: Are You Tempted? – an indulgent afternoon of all things A Streetcar Named Desire where participants can stretch themselves with an energetic beginners’ ballet session before relaxing with tempting refreshments and listening to behind the scenes tales of our production.*

This season Scottish Ballet also introduces a season of new evening talks from HQ at Tramway; the first of which takes place at 6.45pm on Tuesday 20 March with A Streetcar Named Desire director Nancy Meckler and choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.*  And continuing Scottish Ballet’s successful webcast series join the Company live online on Thursday 29 March for an illuminating panel discussion with Nancy, Annabelle, Ashley and Principal dancer Tama Barry who will be exploring the creation of this new work ahead of its world premiere, and will be taking questions from the audience, both in the studio and online.  Questions can be asked in advance by emailing heather.crumley@scottishballet.co.uk or tweeting @scottishballet / #SBstreetcar.

Live Online Webcast

Thursday 29 March 7pm

Tune in at www.scottishballet.co.uk

An illuminating panel discussion on A Streetcar Named Desire. Director Nancy Meckler, choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Scottish Ballet’s Artistic Director Ashley Page and Principal dancer Tama Barry will be exploring the creation of this bold new work ahead of its world premiere, and will be taking questions from the audience online.

Scottish Ballet presents A Streetcar Named Desire, sponsored by Adam & Company

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

Wed 2 – Sat 5 May 2012

Evenings 2-5 May – 7.30pm

Matinee 5 May – 2pm

Free pre-show talks at 6.30pm on Thu 3 May with Artistic Staff and Fri 4 May with Music staff. Call box office to reserve tickets.

Insight (for ages 14+) on Sat 5 May at 11am. Tickets £5.50/concessions £3.50.

Ballet Café Saturday 5 May @ 2pm, tickets £10 to book contact education@scottishballet.co.uk / 0141 331 6285

Tickets from £13.50-£29.50. Discounts available – please contact box office.

Box office 01224 641122 (bkg fee)

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Wed 9 – Sat 12 May 2012

Evenings 9 -12 May – 7.30pm

Matinee 12 May – 2pm

Free pre-show talks at 6.30pm on Thu 3 May with Artistic Staff and Fri 4 May with Music staff. Call box office to reserve tickets.

Insight (for ages 14+) on Sat 5 May at 11am. Tickets £5.50/concessions £3.50.

Ballet Café Saturday 12 May @ 2pm, tickets £10 to book contact education@scottishballet.co.uk / 0141 331 6285

Tickets £17-£26.50. Discounts available – please contact box office.

Box office 01463 234 234 (bkg fee)

Source: Scottish Ballet