Scottish Ballet Wins UK Theatre Award For Highlands And Islands Tour Of HIGHLAND FLING

Scottish Ballet are delighted to announce that they have been awarded The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre at the UK Theatre Awards 2018, for their Highlands and Islands tour of Matthew Bourne's Highland Fling.

Representing Scotland as the only Scottish-based company to win at the awards, Scottish Ballet were recognised for their contribution to the world of touring theatre having taken the vibrant production to audiences in Lerwick, Kirkwall, Oban and Stornoway in April of this year.

Responding to audience demand, Scottish Ballet's presentation of Highland Fling was the company's first full-length, full-scale production to tour to these locations, performing to sold-out audiences.

No small feat for the company, audiences enjoyed the same full-scale production that was staged in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as the Technical department transformed spaces such as halls and gymnasiums into working theatres; designing and constructing a free-standing truss which supported all necessary sets and lightings, including wings and a backstage area.

In total, the staging of Highland Fling came in at 65 tonnes and was powered by a generator, all of which was then transported across land and sea via three lorries. On top of this, the department created, transported and cared for 62 outfits, 25 wigs, 26 kilts, 20 pairs of fairy wings, 100 pots of body paint, and five litres of fake blood.

The tour was made possible thanks to the generous support of LoganAir - Scotland's Airline, and the company's Official Airline Partner 2018 - and supporting partners including Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries, Highland Park, Lochcarron of Scotland, Macron and Northlink Ferries.

Alongside sold-out performances, this tour enabled the Company to engage fully with regional communities, running 160 workshops and classes, with over 3,300 people from ages 1 to 101 taking part.

Commenting on the award, CEO/Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson said:

'We are delighted to have won a UK Theatre Award for our pioneering tour of Highland Fling, and to have our technical department's hard work recognised by UK Theatre. As Scotland's national dance company, we are committed to presenting our creations to audiences locally, nationally and internationally, and The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre is testament to the company's ethos of inspiring on stage and beyond.'

This year's UK Theatre Awards winners were revealed on Sunday 14 October in a lunchtime ceremony at London's Guildhall, and honoured outstanding achievement in the theatre throughout the United Kingdom.

The Awards were hosted by Olivier-nominated musical theatre performer Tyrone Huntley, and presenters included Wendi Peters, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Ria Jones, Matt Cardle, Emma Williams and Michael Ellis MP.

For more on the awards visit here, and for further information about Scottish Ballet visit their website on: https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/

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