27 February, Edinburgh: Today, Capital Theatres reveals new partnerships with leading dance companies Rambert and Barrowland Ballet, designed to bring world premieres to Edinburgh and support the creation of new work for audiences across Scotland and beyond.

Rambert’s KISMET (3-5 July), produced in association with Capital Theatres, features two contemporary works about the unpredictable nature of being human. Edinburgh audiences will be treated to the world premiere of Gallery of Consequence, choreographed by emerging artist Emma Evelein. This moving new piece brings to life the chaos, quiet and connections found in an airport. The bill is completed by iconic choreographer Johan Inger’s B.R.I.S.A – a whirlwind of movement, music and humour with a soundtrack featuring Nina Simone.

Barrowland Ballet’s Wee Man (13-14 June) is a highly physical dance-theatre work choreographed by Natasha Gilmore, performed and created with a cast of men and male teenagers. It questions the shifting, and unshifting, rules of masculinity across the different generations with a sound score by composer Luke Sutherland and text created with poet Kevin P. Gilday.

The premiere of Wee Man marks the start of an important new relationship as Barrowland Ballet becomes Capital Theatres’ first associate company. This mutually beneficial relationship, building on the success of 2022’s award-winning co-production The Gift, recognises a shared ambition to extend access to dance for more people. Capital Theatres will provide an Edinburgh home for Barrowland Ballet and help the company as it explores new artistic approaches. In turn, Barrowland Ballet will support Capital Theatres’ aim to present inclusive dance work for more audiences, including relaxed performances and productions tailored for young people with complex needs.

Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, said: “I am so delighted to be collaborating with Rambert and Barrowland Ballet on what I’m sure will be two truly stunning world premieres. These exciting new partnerships will enhance our collective impact on the UK dance sector and support us in developing a programme of extraordinary live experiences for audiences here in Edinburgh and beyond.” 

Emma Evelein, choreographer of Gallery of Consequence, said: “I felt completely at home at Rambert. I was given the space, freedom and tools to create a work that feels authentic and personal to me. The dancers are incredible movers, artists, technical but free-spirited and practiced movement artists with a great work ethic. Gallery of Consequence is a story about humanity and our vulnerability, even in a world where we try to be constantly in control.”

Johan Inger, choreographer of B.R.I.S.A said: “B.R.I.S.A explores the fragile hope of the seemingly insignificant breeze that becomes the storm in which new beginnings can take shape and create new futures. I felt Rambert Dance company was such place where anything is possible, a platform open to meet and reflect on today’s challenges and its issues, to try and be a partner and a mirror of today’s world, being human, nothing more nothing less.”

Natasha Gilmore, choreographer and director of Wee Man said: “As a mother of boys, I recently read the book ‘Raising Boys’ by Steve Biddulph. He emphasises the importance for boys to have mentors outside of the family unit, to help steer them. Traditional cultures have coming of age rituals where the men in the society mentor and guide the boys, preparing them for the important transition into manhood. Now however, mentoring is mostly unplanned and ad hoc. He writes “Those doing the mentoring –   sports coaches, uncles, teachers and bosses – rarely understand their role and may do it badly”. Research shows that men and boys are less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to cultural expectations that stigmatise emotional expression. When the cast were challenged to write a list poem about the ‘rules of masculinity’ it became apparent that there were still a lot of rules that stigmatise vulnerability.” 

Rambert’s KISMET and Barrowland Ballet’s Wee Man are available for priority booking for Friends of Capital Theatres on 28 February, with general sale from 7 March. To book tickets please visit www.capitaltheatres.com.