Scottish Ballet’s ‘Starstruck’: glamorous and joyful production is filled with variety, and is over before you know it

Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck sent the audience home smiling tonight as it relinquished their love of Gene Kelly and this renowned musical icon who had a fondness for ballet. Having already adapted Gene Kelly’s Pas De Dieux, Scottish Ballet have embellished the story further with a whole new act, and more background between the choreographer and lead actress. It’s a first for the audience and triumphant revival. Many left uttering praise as they reluctantly vacated the Theatre Royal. 

Starstruck is set to Gershwin’s Concerto in F and is a blend of dance styles: classical ballet with jazz, lindy hop, and Charleston. The story follows Greek gods as they hit Earth, specifically the South of France and is based on Gene Kelly’s rarely-performed 1960 jazz-ballet Pas de Dieux (translates as No Gods), created for Paris Opera Ballet in 1960. For this production Scottish Ballet’s CEO and artistic director, Christopher Hampson CBE, however, worked in conjunction with Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward, to create the additional act and further flesh out the tale between choreographer and star ballerina.

A ballet for those that indulge in the glamour of the musical, Starstruck offers this joyful variety of dance styles, and is over before you know it. With an expected Hollywood backstage set design and a range of dancers willing to give jazz hands and star power, the show is stellar. It’s near impossible to detect the flaws as it’s not long before you’re swept up in ‘show business.’ Including Yuri Marques as choreographer and Marlen Fuerte Castro as lead actress, there’s a wonderful showmanship and intimacy for when the scene demands, to the entire performance. Harvey Littlefield as lifeguard almost steals the show for the stoicism of their dance, and almost flawless rhythm to the beat of that Concerto. 

Starstuck was originally performed during mid-lockdown to an audience still uncomfortably out at cultural events, with only act two of this new production, in 2021. The Theatre Royal had an altogether different vibe as all very leaving the glam affair tonight – in fact I wouldn’t want to envisage what it was indeed like. As Christopher Hampson CBE took to the stage in his denim kilt this evening to bow for the audience, there was a glint of joy for being able to realise it in its wider glory. 

Starstruck runs at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on 24 and 25 April 2026, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen on 1st and  2nd May 2026 and Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from 7th until 9th May 2026