Mary, Queen of Scots, performed by Scottish Ballet at Sadler’s Wells, is not to be missed by those who love dance. It is a stunning, visually gorgeous production danced beautifully by Scottish Ballet, as well as being set to a stirring and often lyrical score performed by a live orchestra. Choreographer and Co-Creator Sophie Laplane brilliantly combines ballet and contemporary dance to create affecting pas de deux as well as astonishing set pieces.
The only problem with this ballet is that the narrative of the first act and, in particular, the first thirty minutes, is bewildering if you do not have a programme. Even if you think you know your history, do splash out on a programme and read its one-page synopsis.
The show opens with an older woman dancer, performed by Charlotte Ofverholm, dressed in a few clothes and performing in what looks like a snowstorm. The synopsis tells us this is Queen Elizabeth’s last day alive when, at age 69, she becomes overwhelmed by memories so that her past becomes our present, danced in front of us. Elizabeth revisits the time when the two cousins, who never met, both queens, became rivals and enemies, such that she ultimately put the other to death.
Without the information about this being set on Elizabeth’s last day, the narrative depiction of the Older Elizabeth as frail, weak and losing her mind comes across as inadequate. In reality, she was only nine years older than Mary, who is portrayed throughout as youthful, tiny and sexy, beautifully danced with both particularity and style by Roseanne Leney. Of course, Mary died much younger, aged 44, after which, unlike Elizabeth, she did not age in remembrance.
Director and Co-Creator James Bonas has a number of spectacular tricks up his sleeve, but none more than with Harvey Littlefield, who performs as the Younger Elizabeth. Stately, proud, taller by far than the rest of the dancers on stage and elevated again as iconography by the use of stilts at times, this casting is riveting.
The male soloists and principals are fabulous in this production. Darnley is satisfyingly performed by Evan Loudon, ably communicating both the appeal, corruption and menace of this character. Walsingham, Elizabeth’s Spymaster General, is splendidly danced by Thomas Edwards with precision and purpose. He is a star in this show.
Mary, Queen of Scots is shown to be a ballet about power and the loss of it: power and its shifting, as competition, as pride, the power of youth, in romance, in motherhood, in life and death, though death will always win in the end. Even for Elizabeth.
It is a relief that there is no lingering on the actual manner of the death of Mary. What matters is that her life is brought to a premature end, along with her legacy. There is a clever, unexpected twist even here.
The costumes used in the show are incredible and bring descriptive, clever aesthetics to the production. Designed by Soutra Gilmour, they deserve the highest praise.
The original score, which transitions between uplifting Highland reels and lyrical, sweeping movements, including an amplified harpsichord, is a great pleasure throughout. The music is by Mikael Karlsson and Michael P. Atkinson.
Review by Marian Kennedy
As death approaches, Elizabeth I of England is haunted by memories – real and imagined – of her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.
This major new production from Scottish Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence Sophie Laplane and co-creator, James Bonas (The Crucible), draws on the complex relationship between these two extraordinary queens. Laplane’s bold choreography blends classicism with modernity, reshaping a familiar story with powerful originality.
Mary – Roseanna Leney
Older Elizabeth – Charlotta Öfverholm
Younger Elizabeth – Harvey Littlefield
Darnley – Evan Loudon
Rizzio – Bruno Micchiardi
Walshingham – Thomas Edwards
Jester – Kayla-Maree Tarantolo
Catherin de Medici/James I – Madeline Squire
Dauphin – James Garrington
4 Marys – Melissa Parsons, Danila Marzilli, Alice Kawalek, Hannah Cubitt
Mary (Proxy) – Anna Williams
Elizabeth (Proxy) – Grace Horler
Court Ladies – Anna Williams, Grace Horler, Elizabeth Williams, Gina Scott, Urara Takata, Melissa Parsons, Danila Marzilli, Alice Kawalek, Hannah Cubitt
Court Men – James Garrington, Hamish Longley, Charley Austin, Calum Gray, Alfie McPherson, Andrea Azzari, Harvey Evans, Mackenzie Jacob, Benjamin Thomas, Theo Greenfield
Choreographer and Co-Creator: Sophie Laplane
Director and Co-Creator: James Bonas
Original Score: Mikael Karlsson and Michael P Atkinson
Set and Costume Designer: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Designer: Bonnie Beecher
Projection and Video Designer: Anouar Brissel
Guest Conductor: Martin Yates
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Sadler’s Wells
5 to 8 March 2026
