Scottish Dance Theatre has been recognised once again on the UK stage, with a nomination for Best Mid-Scale Company at the 25th National Dance Awards. It is a well-earned nod to a season that saw the Dundee-based company firing on all cylinders, presenting a rich programme that captivated audiences from the Highlands to London, and from Italy to Poland.
This marks the fourth time the company has been shortlisted for the award since 2020, a record that reflects not just consistency, but evolution. From its grassroots beginnings in 1986 to its current status as Scotland’s national contemporary dance company, Scottish Dance Theatre has long embodied a commitment to both artistic excellence and meaningful community engagement.
A Milestone Season of Touring, Innovation and Recognition
Artistic Director Joan Clevillé said the nomination was a welcome affirmation of the company’s ethos and effort. “We’re absolutely thrilled to celebrate this award nomination, which is a testament to the inspiring work the team created together throughout 2024,” he said. “To be recognised for a fourth time in such a prestigious international award, amongst so many wonderful companies and artists, is a fantastic reflection of the talent in this company as well as the creative energy that characterises our home city of Dundee.”
One of the standouts of the 2024 season was the double bill The Flock and Moving Cloud. First seen as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the programme won praise for its visual richness and experimentation. Reviewing the work last summer, The QR described it as “a storming pair of pieces that channel both intimacy and elemental scale, visceral, rich, with bodies caught up in language, music and wind.”
The success of the Fringe performances led to a national tour, reaching audiences across Scotland, including stops in Moray, Inverclyde, the Highlands, and Glasgow. The company also took the work south to key UK dance hubs, including The Place in London and Riley Theatre in Leeds.
Revisiting Repertoire: Ray, The Life and Times, and Early-Years Work
Alongside touring, Scottish Dance Theatre revived some of its most compelling recent work. The Life and Times, a hybrid production experienced both in-theatre and online, returned to Dundee Rep Theatre, bringing its exploration of personal and political memory to live and digital audiences simultaneously.
Another piece to return to the repertoire was Ray, choreographed by Meytal Blanaru. First introduced in 2022, Ray was lauded for its contemplative, slow-burn aesthetic. In 2024, it was joined by a new early-years counterpart: Little Ray, developed with support from Starcatchers, Scotland’s national arts and early childhood organisation. Little Ray was designed for very young children and their carers, a sign of the company’s continued interest in accessibility and intergenerational engagement.
Going Global: International Touring and Site-Specific Work
That same spirit carried Scottish Dance Theatre abroad, as the full company embarked on its first international tour since the pandemic. Performing Every Map Has a Scale at Festival Danza Estate in Bergamo, Italy, the dancers brought their distinctive style to open-air spaces, streets, parks, and squares, turning the urban landscape into a site of communal and kinetic reflection. Italian press described the result as leaving audiences “fascinated and amazed,” adding new meaning to the term “site-specific.”
Deepening Community Roots Through the Engage Programme
In Dundee, the company deepened its community ties through the Engage programme, offering a wide array of classes and workshops to residents of all ages. There were also 130 artist development sessions throughout the year, supporting nearly 200 professional dance artists. Additionally, 23 creatives were given access to free rehearsal space, technical support, and choreographic residencies, often in partnership with the #LoveDanceScotland network.
Looking Ahead to 40 Years of Dance Innovation
Scottish Dance Theatre’s home city remains central to its identity, something Clevillé acknowledged in reflecting on the National Dance Award nod. “As we look ahead to our 40th anniversary season in 2026 it’s heartening that our work continues to make a difference for audiences both at home and further afield.”
As a full-time ensemble, one of the very few remaining in the UK, the company holds a rare position within the national dance landscape. With a blend of international touring, local outreach, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, it is forging a path that is both rooted and outward-looking.
That dual focus, global and local, has been part of Scottish Dance Theatre’s DNA since its inception. In 1986, it began as a community project. Today, it is a resident company at Dundee Rep Theatre, sharing resources and creative direction with one of Scotland’s most innovative producing theatres.
That relationship has borne fruit far beyond dance. The Rep’s own 2024 season included acclaimed productions such as A History of Paper, which won the Best Musical title at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The proximity of these two ensembles, theatre and dance, continues to spark new ideas, collaborations, and approaches.
A Well-Earned Nomination for a Company on the Rise
With the 40th anniversary season on the horizon in 2026, attention is already turning to how Scottish Dance Theatre will mark the milestone. Based on its 2024 track record, expectations are high.
But for now, the National Dance Awards offer a moment to reflect on what has already been achieved. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Monday 9 June.
Featured Image: The Flock & Moving Cloud at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Pic Tiu Makkonen
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