Ballet Nights Brings a New Dance Experience to the Edinburgh Fringe

Ballet Nights Makes Its Edinburgh Fringe Debut This August

Ballet Nights arrives at the Edinburgh Fringe for the very first time, bringing a special one-act edition of the internationally celebrated dance platform to the iconic Assembly Rooms Music Hall.

Running from 24–30 August 2026 at 5.30pm, this limited series of seven performances marks an exciting milestone for a company that has built its reputation on reimagining how audiences experience ballet and dance. Combining world-class performers, emerging artists, live music and intimate storytelling, Ballet Nights offers a fresh approach that places artists and audiences closer together. 

Founded by former Scottish Ballet soloist Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, Ballet Nights has become a growing international dance phenomenon, celebrated for breaking down barriers between performer and audience. At the Edinburgh Fringe – the world's largest arts festival – the company presents a concise, high-impact programme that reflects its distinctive ethos: exceptional artistry, presented with warmth, immediacy and accessibility.

The programme brings together an impressive line-up of artists spanning classical ballet, contemporary dance and live music. Among them is Joseph Taylor, star of London City Ballet and former Principal of Northern Ballet, alongside Olivier Award-nominated Northern Ballet Principal Sarah Chun. Their appearances place some of Britain's leading dance artists in an intimate setting where audiences can engage with the people behind the performances as much as the work itself.

The programme also showcases contemporary innovation through Ekleido, whose acclaimed work Splice has become emblematic of a new generation of dance-making. Blending choreography, identity, club culture and physical virtuosity, the company offers a dynamic counterpoint to the classical repertoire and reflects Ballet Nights' commitment to broadening dance audiences.

Scotland's dance scene is also firmly represented. Glasgow-based Amy McEntee appears as a newly independent artist in a performance that celebrates both personal artistic evolution and the strength of Scottish dance talent. Meanwhile, Scotland's own PCK Dance presents a new commission as part of a growing ambition to bring dance to communities across the country, with plans extending to Inverness and future collaborations with Ballet Nights.

Music remains integral to the Ballet Nights experience. Viola player Dominic Stokes, recipient of the Ballet Nights Music Award, performs not as an unseen accompanist but as an active presence within the performance itself, creating a dialogue between music and movement that embodies the company's immersive ethos. 

For Devernay-Laurence, the Fringe debut is part of a wider return to Scotland. Having trained and performed with Scottish Ballet before establishing Ballet Nights, he is deepening the company's relationship with Scotland through performances in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond.

"This was a triumph," wrote The Herald, which also described Ballet Nights as "Flying the flag for the future of dance." That spirit of innovation sits at the heart of the Edinburgh Fringe edition. The evening's mixed programme promises a journey through ballet, contemporary dance, live music and new commissions, offering audiences moments of virtuosity, discovery and connection in equal measure.

As Ballet Nights continues to grow internationally, its Edinburgh Fringe debut represents more than a festival appearance. It signals an ongoing commitment to creating new audiences for dance, championing emerging artists and building a vibrant future for the art form in Scotland and beyond.

Ballet Nights Edinburgh Fringe Assembly Rooms: Music Hall 24–30 August 2026, 5.30pm Seven performances only. Take your seat and book your tickets: https://www.balletnights.com/fringe