The students received a behind-the-scenes tour and a workshop, as the organisation prepared for the world première of Christopher Hampson’s The Snow Queen.

A total of 27 pupils from Cuthbertson Primary School in Govanhill visited Tramway, for a building tour which involved a peek into the technical department, the chance to see where the costumes are made and to find out why ballet shoes are so special! The children also enjoyed a workshop that inspired them to join in following the icy themes from The Snow Queen production that they will see first-hand at the theatre in January 2020.

The trip was organised as part of Scottish Ballet and KPMG UK’s long-standing partnership, which aims to strengthen the links between the business and the arts community, as well as supporting Scottish Ballet’s aim to deliver award-winning performances and community outreach initiatives to make ballet and dance more accessible.

Now in its third year, and with support from Arts and Business Scotland Culture and Business Fund, the partnership also enables pupils from Cuthbertson Primary School to feel the benefits of dance and also see some of the choreography they have learned being performed by Scottish Ballet’s professional dancers.

Catherine Burnet, KPMG’s senior partner in Scotland, said: “It’s more important than ever before that the business community offers support to the arts and cultural community in Scotland. KPMG’s partnership with Scottish Ballet provides vital financial support for an organisation that’s been at the heart of the country’s arts scene for fifty years. But, I’m most passionate about our initiative with Cuthbertson Primary School.

“The school is only a short distance from Scottish Ballet’s Tramway facilities, and it offers pupils completely unrivalled access to the facilities, learning about what goes on behind the scenes and meeting the stars of the shows.”

Lesley Murrie, headteacher at Cuthberston Primary School, added: “Our pupils from Primary 5 attended the visit and absolutely loved it! The children came back so enthused and full of chat about what they’d seen and experienced. Florence MacTavish, their classroom teacher, has planned a few lessons around The Snow Queen storyline and Scottish Ballet, to help prepare them for the performance in January.”