Ballet show to head north

SCOTTISH Ballet is set to host a full-scale production over two days in Lerwick this spring.

Its production of Matthew Bourne’s Highland Fling will head to the Clickimin on 21 April, with a matinee show scheduled for the following day.

The events form part of a wider Highlands and Islands tour which will see Scottish Ballet bring a full-scale production to the region for the first time.

Loganair is charting special flights to transport the cast and crew.

The show is described as La Sylphide for the Trainspotting generation and it “follows the downfall of James – a young Scot with sex, love and rock and roll on his mind”.

“Recently married to his beloved Effie, his addiction to excess finds him in the company of a wild, gothic fairy,” the blurb adds.

“As his love for the strange and beautiful fairy becomes an obsession, James embarks on a fateful journey that takes him from the mean streets and nightclubs of Glasgow into a world beyond reality and reason.”

Scottish Ballet CEO and artistic director Christopher Hampson said the organisation is “thrilled” to be heading north.

“Touring a complex full length work to remote locations is both challenging and costly,” he said.

“Our partnership with Loganair will not only help us fulfil our vision of bringing ballet to remote locations but will also enable us to create new works, tour more shows and create additional educational projects.”

Tickets for the ballet shows can be bought via the Shetland Arts box office.