We are delighted to announce that Scottish Ballet will be joined by Ballet Black’s Senior Artist Cira Robinson for the world premiere of Helen Pickett’s The Crucible during the International Festival this August.

As part of a longstanding collaboration between the two companies, Ballet Black’s Cira Robinson will join Scottish Ballet to dance the role of Tituba. Bringing a breadth of experience, Cira will play a vital role in developing this rich and complex character in Arthur Miller’s drama of power and persecution. A story as relevant today as when it was first written, Miller’s 1953 masterpiece explores the impact of the 17th-century Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts.

Ballet Black is the UK’s professional ballet company for international dancers of black and Asian descent. Their goal is to see a fundamental change in the number of black and Asian dancers in UK ballet companies. By creating a central black female character, rarely seen in the UK outside of Ballet Black repertoire, the two companies aim to openly address the challenges of diverse representation in UK ballet (on and off stage), and particularly the lack of black British female ballet dancers.

Following on from their acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire in 2015 and a triumphant double bill at the 2016 International Festival, Scottish Ballet return to tackle another American classic. The Crucible will open the International Festival dance programme and is a highlight of Scottish Ballet's special 50th anniversary season, celebrated by the Company throughout 2019.

Adapted from Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, The Crucible is a gripping new narrative ballet with choreography by Helen Pickett and a new musical score from Peter Salem, performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.

International Festival Director Fergus Linehan said:
‘Scottish Ballet has been inspiring audiences at the International Festival with unforgettable performances since the 1970s and we’re thrilled to welcome back the company as it celebrates 50 years. It’s especially exciting to open our 2019 dance programme together with a premiere of this scale and scope and look forward to sharing The Crucible with audiences from all over the world’.