Scottish Ballet up close and personal

The Up Close tour boasts a programme of new choreography, breaking away from traditional ballet towards a “stylish, sharp and sexy” set.

A representative told The Extra: “It’s rare that Scottish Ballet plays such a small, intimate space here in Glasgow, rather than say the grander Theatre Royal — so audiences really do get a chance to see them up close.

“It’s five years since we took up residency here in the southside — so it’s a birthday celebration of sorts too.”

One of a number of new pieces is by dancer Sophie Laplane, marking a first foray into choreography after 10 years with the company.

Sophie’s Oxymore features the repetitive sounds of Susumo Yokota’s Circular. She explained: “It’s quite punky with a nice upbeat sound.

“I’d had an argument with my ex boyfriend before I went to the workshop that day, and I was speaking about it to my friend, saying it’s always the same problem, always the same story.

“Then I realised we only had half an hour left to come up with something — so I put on the music and thought, let’s just do a conversation, as though you’re having an argument over and over again.

“Now, the dancers say they create a conversation in their own heads, their own story.”

Static arguments may certainly make for an intimate piece of dance — but what does Sophie think of getting up close and personal with her audience?

“Tramway is a fantastic venue and the southside is a great place to work.

“It’s good to take ballet to other communities, outside the bigger theatres. The more people who can see what we do, the better.”

As well as celebrating five years at Tramway, Up Close is touring, with Sophie’s piece on the bill alongside a romance inspired by Tennessee Williams, voyeurism and adultery in Jealousy, fast paced percussion in Dark Full Ride and another outing for Kenneth Macmillan’s Elite Syncopations.

Catch Up Close at the southside venue on October 24-25, 7.30pm — tickets from 0845 330 3501 or tramway.org.