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Mary, Queen of Scots

With bold choreography, new music, striking sets and costumes, the iconic story of Mary, Queen of Scots is brought to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh by Scottish Ballet!

Mary, Queen of Scots

About Mary, Queen of Scots

16th Oct 2025 to 18th Oct 2025
7.30pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh
13/29 Nicolson Street , Edinburgh South EH8 9FT
See event website for details
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As death approaches, Elizabeth I of England is haunted by memories – real and imagined – of her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.

Two women. Two crowns. One story.

This major new production from Scottish Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence Sophie Laplane (Dextera) and co-creator, James Bonas (The Crucible), draws on the complex relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England. Laplane’s bold choreography blends classicism with modernity, reshaping a familiar story with powerful originality.

Soutra Gilmour’s striking, contemporary set is complemented by dazzling costumes that capture the grandeur of the era, with nods to haute couture and punk. New music, by the team behind 2022 hit Coppélia, is performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. Guest Artist Charlotta Öfverholm, as the older Elizabeth, brings her rich storytelling expertise to the company’s dancers.

An iconic story, unconventionally told, adding to the canon of rich, contemporary repertoire that is uniquely Scottish Ballet.

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