Review: Ballet Nights | Glasgow
- Lisa in the theatre
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Dance spectacular Ballet Nights has been wowing audiences across the world since its launch in 2023. Marking its Scottish debut in Glasgow, Ballet Nights performed at The Theatre Royal on 4th July 2025.
Ballet Nights: Founded and directed by Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
Review: The Theatre Royal, Glasgow | 4 July 2025
Ballet Nights Glasgow ★★★★★
Bringing together world-class dancers and choreographers, with emerging artists and stunning live music, Ballet Nights is the critically acclaimed ballet showcase created by ex-Scottish Ballet soloist Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, produced by Fundamentally Dance.
Having found success in London, Europe and across the globe, Ballet Nights had its Scottish premier in Glasgow this week bringing many renowned dance superstars back to their former home at the Glasgow Theatre Royal.
I can't speak for the previous productions or locations, but the Glasgow programme of Ballet Nights was obviously very carefully curated to resonate with the Scottish audience and with this particular theatre - The Theatre Royal, Glasgow - the home of Scottish Ballet. It felt wonderfully personal and incredibly special.
Returning to the stage to rapturous applause we had former (and adored!) principal's of Scottish Ballet Eve Mutso, Sophie Martin and Constance Devernay-Laurence, alongside the mesmerising Glasgow-born European Ballet star Andrew Cummings, and the fantastic full graduating class of future stars from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's BA Modern Ballet degree.
A (Ballet) Night with the Stars
But it wasn't just local favourites that drew the crowd to the Theatre Royal: Global dance superstar Steven McRae, principal of the Royal Ballet in London was a major attraction for the knowledgeable Scottish dance audience, as was the promise of seeing the illustrious principal of Birmingham Royal Ballet Tyrone Singleton perform alongside popular contemporary acts such as Ekleido, BlacBrik and rising star of the Royal Ballet, Caspar Lench.
Showcasing an exquisite mixed-bill of established ballet works alongside innovative modern and contemporary dance, each piece staged at Ballet Nights in Glasgow was choreographed and presented with the utmost care and skill. Lit beautifully on an otherwise bare stage, the focus was always on the performers and their jaw-dropping talents.
The highlights of the Glasgow showcase are too abundant to list, but Constance Devernay-Laurence's 'I Married Myself' choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon for the Amazon Prime series Étoile in which Constance stars, was a beautiful start to the dance programme and a welcome nod to her new career on screen.
Eve Mutso's 'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen' accompanied by Mezzo soprano Dana Mays - a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - was a bewitching, emotional dedication to Scottish Ballet's first ever principal dancer Eleanor Moore who passed away in January this year.
Steven McRae's scorching performance of Vittorio Monti's Czárdás - his first since recovering for major knee surgery - was monumental. I, for one, will never forget that performance.
McRae's power, skill and musicality are mind-blowing. Accompanied here by Ballet Night's London house concert pianist Viktor Erik Emanuel, and Scottish Ballet Orchestra's Gillian Risi on lighting-fast violin, the piece built the already enraptured audience to a frenzy. Just sensational and a thrill to see live.
Better than ever
Sophie Martin and Joan Ivars Ribes stunning performance to Max Richter's "On The Nature of Daylight" choreographed by David Dawson was another triumphant piece of dance that left me shaking my head in disbelief at the talent before me.
A principal at Scottish Ballet for many years, Sophie has wowed me many times before. But here, more than twenty years since she first joined Scottish Ballet, she is even better than ever. Dawson's choreography for this piece is incredibly challenging and acrobatic. Sophie Martin is fearless! And together with her new partner from Ballet am Rhein -Joan Ivars Ribes - their dynamic, exquisite duet / pas de deux was one of my favourites of the night.
A masterful master of ceremonies
Ballet Nights is compered by Artistic Director Jamiel Devernay-Laurance. A compere can make or break these concert-like showcases and Jamiel is hands-down the best I've seen. Clearly knowledgeable about every performer and every choreographer, as well as about their personal dance histories, performing companies, the Scottish and world dance scenes and even the Glasgow Theatre Royal, Ballet Nights is in very safe hands with this master of ceremonies.
Confident and charismatic, the audience warmed to Jamiel instantly. He judged every introduction just right - he never took the jokes too far and he never overstayed his welcome. This Ballet Nights company teach ballet masterclasses to young dancers from time to time, but Jamiel Devernay-Laurence could teach the art of comepre'ing! The dancers and musicians in this company are exceptional, but there's no doubt the show's success on an evening is in large part thanks to Jamiel's intelligent, entertaining but concise commentary.
I'm at the risk of gushing here, but Ballet Nights really is the best of the best of the best. I had a lump in my throat all evening, and felt a great privilege to be there to witness all of my favourite dancers, and some new favourites, shine on the same stage.
Ballet Nights is a genius concept and a fantastic addition to the dance scene. Sure to be a hit with fans of ballet and dance all over the world, it's also just an exceptionally well put together evening of quality entertainment. ★★★★★
More incredible dance coming up at Glasgow Theatre Royal soon:
Comments