Alba Ballet Company

Nearly a Year in the Making: Coppélia 2026 Is Almost Here 🩰

Thousands of hours. One studio. And a cast that has given nearly a year of their lives to bringing Coppélia to the stage this November.

That kind of commitment doesn't happen overnight, and right now, our dancers are in the final stages of rehearsals, tightening every pirouette, every lift, and every storytelling moment before the curtain goes up. Alba Ballet has staged Coppélia before (back in 2018 across Beacon Arts Centre and Barrfields), but this production is a whole new chapter. This November, the show travels across three venues: Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on 6 and 7 November, Queens Hall, Dunoon on 14 November, and Barrfields, Largs on 21 November. Have you ever wondered what almost 12 months of rehearsals actually looks, feels, and sounds like behind the scenes? 🎭

There is something genuinely special about watching a production take shape from the very first run-through to a performance-ready cast who know every note and every cue. Whether you have a dancer in the company or you simply love live ballet, these shows are going to be worth every minute of that rehearsal journey. Which venue are you planning to catch the show at? Grab your tickets and find out more below.

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Going to Your First Ballet? Here's What to Expect 🩰

First time at a ballet performance and not sure what to expect? You're not alone, and honestly, it's simpler (and more magical) than most people think. With our production of Coppelia coming up this November, we thought now was the perfect time to answer the questions we get asked most.

Do I need to dress up? Smart casual is absolutely fine. Can I bring kids? Yes, and Coppelia is a wonderful story they'll love. What if I've never seen a ballet before? No experience needed at all. Our cast has spent nearly a year preparing this production, so from the moment the curtain goes up, the story carries you with it. We're performing at three brilliant venues: Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on 6 and 7 November, Queens Hall, Dunoon on 14 November, and Barrfields, Largs on 21 November, so there's a date and location to suit everyone across the west of Scotland.

Have you ever been to a live ballet before, or would this be your first time? And which venue would you be looking to attend? Let us know below, we'd love to see you there! 🎭

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Coppélia 2026: Alba Ballet's Biggest Show Yet 🩰

After nearly a year of hard work in the studio, our cast are in the final stages of rehearsals for Coppélia 2026 and the excitement is absolutely building. This production is shaping up to be the biggest in Alba Ballet's history, and we genuinely mean that. Off the back of Cinderella 2024 (four performances across three venues, which was massive for us), we set out to go even further with Coppélia, and that is exactly what we have done.

This November, we are bringing Coppélia to three incredible venues across Scotland. You can catch the show at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on 6 and 7 November, the Queens Hall in Dunoon on 14 November, and Barrfields in Largs on 21 November. Our Patron, Bethany Kingsley Garner (ex-Principal of Scottish Ballet and the People's Ballerina), has been involved throughout rehearsals, helping to shape the cast and bring a level of professional experience that makes this production something really special. Which venue are you planning to attend? And if you have watched our dancers grow over the years, what has been your favourite Alba Ballet memory so far? 🎭

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Coppelia Is Coming to Scotland This November 🩰

After nearly a year of rehearsals, our cast is putting the finishing touches on what we're aiming to make our biggest production yet. Coppelia arrives in November 2026, and if you've never seen a live classical ballet performed by a local Scottish company, this is the one to catch. We're performing across three venues, so there's a good chance one of them is close to you: Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on 6 & 7 November, Queens Hall, Dunoon on 14 November, and Barrfields, Largs on 21 November.

What makes this special is the sheer amount of work that goes into a production like this. The dancers have been training and rehearsing for close to a year to bring Coppelia to life on stage, and that dedication shows every single time the curtain goes up. Our 2024 production of Cinderella sold out to packed audiences across four performances, so we'd love to see even more faces in the crowd this time round. 🎭 Which venue are you planning to visit? And have you ever brought the family along to a live ballet before? Let us know in the comments!

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Coppélia Is Almost Here. Three Venues. One Incredible Cast. 🩰

After nearly a year of rehearsals, the Alba Ballet cast are in the final stages of preparing for their biggest challenge yet. This November, they'll be taking Coppélia to three venues right across Scotland, and the buzz backstage is absolutely electric. From full costumes and stage sets to performing in front of a live audience, these young dancers are about to experience exactly what life as a professional dancer really feels like.

Here's where you can catch the magic: Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on 6 and 7 November, Queens Hall, Dunoon on 14 November, and Barrfields, Largs on 21 November. Three venues, three unforgettable nights, and one cast that has put everything into making this their best production yet. Alba Ballet has been building towards this moment since rehearsals started, and if Cinderella 2024 (their biggest show to date) is anything to go by, Coppélia is going to be something really special. Which venue are you planning to come to? 🎭 Drop a comment below and let us know!

https://www.albaballet.scot/

From First Rehearsal to Final Bow: Inside a Ballet Production

Most people see the finished show. What they don't see is the nearly a year of hard work that happens before a single curtain rises. For our cast working on Coppelia 2026, that journey is very nearly complete 🩰

Putting together a full-scale classical ballet production is no small thing. It starts with casting, then comes the months of learning choreography, building costumes, perfecting technique, and pulling every single element together so it all makes sense on stage. Alba Ballet has been doing exactly this since our very first production of The Nutcracker back in 2014, and with every show since (Cinderella, Coppelia 2018, and beyond) the process has grown and the ambition with it. This November, our Coppelia cast will perform across three venues, starting at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on 6 and 7 November, then Queens Hall Dunoon on 14 November, and finishing at Barrfields in Largs on 21 November. Have you ever watched a ballet and wondered what goes into making it happen behind the scenes?

Whether you're a dance parent, a ballet fan, or simply curious about live performance, there's something genuinely special about watching students step out under the lights after months of dedication. What's your favourite thing about watching a live show? 🎭

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Gift Ideas for Ballet Lovers This Christmas 🎁

Tickets to see Coppélia are already a brilliant gift on their own, but pairing them with something extra special? That takes it to a whole new level. Whether you're treating a little dancer, a devoted ballet fan, or someone who just loves a magical night out, there are some lovely ways to make the experience even more memorable. Think personalised ballet keepsakes, a beautiful hardback book on the history of classical ballet, or a cosy wrap and hot chocolate hamper for a chilly November evening at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock, Queens Hall in Dunoon, or Barrfields in Largs. A thoughtful gift bundle around the show turns a single night into a proper occasion.

With performances running across three venues this November (6th and 7th in Greenock, 14th in Dunoon, and 21st in Largs), there's still time to plan something really special for the ballet lover in your life. Our cast have been pouring nearly a year of hard work into this production, with our Patron Bethany fully involved in shaping the performance from auditions right through to the final rehearsals. It's going to be stunning. What gift would you pair with a night at the ballet? Drop your ideas in the comments below 👇 we'd love to hear what you'd choose!

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Why Performing Live Changes Young Dancers Forever 🩰

No amount of studio practice fully prepares a young dancer for the moment the curtain rises and the audience is right there in front of them. That live experience, the nerves, the music, the energy of a real crowd, teaches things that simply cannot be replicated in a rehearsal room. It builds confidence, sharpens focus, and gives dancers a genuine feel for what a professional performance career actually looks like from the inside.

At Alba Ballet, our cast has been working incredibly hard for nearly a year now, deep in rehearsals for Coppelia 2026, and the growth we are seeing in these young dancers is remarkable. Guided by our Patron Bethany Kingsley-Garner (former Principal Ballerina with Scottish Ballet and BBC Young Dancer mentor), they are learning to perform at a real professional standard across three stunning venues this November. Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on 6 and 7 November. Queens Hall, Dunoon on 14 November. And Barrfields, Largs on 21 November. What an incredible milestone for every single dancer stepping out onto that stage. Have you got your tickets yet, or are you thinking of bringing along a young dancer in your life who needs to see what this world looks like up close? 🎭

https://www.albaballet.scot/

Is Your Town Missing Out on Something Special? 🩰

A local ballet school does so much more than teach dance steps. It builds confidence, creates community, and gives young people a real pathway into the arts. Alba Ballet has been doing exactly that in Greenock and Inverclyde since 2012, and right now, the whole community has a brilliant chance to get behind something truly exciting.

The cast of our upcoming Coppelia production have been pouring nearly a year of hard work into rehearsals, and the shows are almost here. Supporting a local ballet school is as simple as buying a ticket and being in that audience. Three venues, three chances to witness what young dancers from your community can achieve when they're trained, challenged, and believed in. Beacon Arts Centre Greenock on 6 and 7 November, Queens Hall Dunoon on 14 November, and Barrfields Largs on 21 November. These students have trained under the RAD syllabus, worked alongside professional dancers, and been guided by one of the most respected ballet educators in Scotland. When you show up, you're telling them it matters. What better way to spend an autumn evening than watching your community shine? 🌟

Would you come along to support local young dancers? Tag someone who deserves a brilliant night out this November!

https://www.albaballet.scot/

From First Plié to Centre Stage: The Alba Ballet Journey 🩰

Most people see the final performance and have no idea how much goes into getting there. For our Coppelia cast, that journey has been nearly a year in the making, and right now they are in the final stages of rehearsals ahead of three incredible shows this November.

That is exactly what makes the Alba Ballet programme so special. Students start by building on their existing classical ballet foundation in Year 1, then progress in Year 2 to specific training for lead production roles, clocking up over 300 hours of training across the full course. Along the way, they get real stage experience, support from one of the West Coast of Scotland's top physios, and the chance to perform alongside seasoned professionals. Our Coppelia cast is living proof of that progression right now. Catch them live at the Beacon Arts Centre Greenock (6 and 7 Nov), Queens Hall Dunoon (14 Nov), or Barrfields Largs (21 Nov). Have you ever watched a ballet performance and wondered what a dancer's training actually looks like behind the scenes? Come and see the results for yourself! 🎭

https://www.albaballet.scot/