Life begins at 50 for Edinburgh Fringe bound Scottish Ballet Company


Life begins at 50 for Edinburgh Fringe bound Scottish Ballet Company

And, for a group of people who have been flocking to dance classes for the over-50s, their hard work in the studio has paid off with an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Scottish Ballet has announced the launch of a new community performance group to reward their hard work.

The Scottish Ballet Elders Company (SBEC) will debut a new piece at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

The company was formed as a result of the success of Scottish Ballet's Regenerate programme of dance classes for the over 50's, which have 90 members attending weekly classes.

Auditions were held in March where 15 dancers from the various groups were chosen.

All the women selected come from Glasgow or the surrounding areas and range in ages from 58 to 77.

One of those chosen to be part of the new company was 70-year old Edith Walsh from Maryhill.

She believes the new group will provide inspiration to other elderly people thinking of taking part in a new activity.

Mrs Walsh said: "I never got the opportunity to dance as a child so now I can't believe that I get the chance to dance with Scottish Ballet. I started 8 years ago when I joined the Regenerate class.

"I wasn't sure whether to audition for the Scottish Ballet Elders Company. I thought 'maybe I'm getting old' but everyone told me if you don't audition then you will regret it.

"I am looking forward to the challenge. I think it will be challenging but exhilarating. My family and friends think it is amazing that I am doing this and will be performing at the Fringe."

Initial rehearsals have begun with professional choreographers at their Scottish Ballet's base at the Glasgow Tramway studios to work on Ballet technique and in the coming weeks, dancers will work with principal choreographer Winnifred Jamieson to develop their piece for the Edinburgh festival.

Catherine Cassidy, Scottish Ballet's Associate Director of Education, said: "We are delighted to launch Scottish Ballet's first performance company of elder community dancers.

"Following a series of weekly ballet and contemporary technique classes, dancers will now begin working with choreographer Winifred Jamieson towards the creation of a new piece which will be performed at Dance Base during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe."

Edinburgh elder dance group Dance Base's Prime will join the company on a four venue tour across Scotland in October.

Scottish Ballet's Regenerate classes are aimed at all over  50s with an interest in dance, the groups aim to provide exercise and well-being to participants but the SBEC represents the first performance aspect of the project.

The project has a closed waiting list of 80 people waiting for a space on the classes.

Community Health and Wellbeing Press Release