If you think ballet isn't for you, Scottish Ballet would like a word. Their spring production Starstruck — landing at Theatre Royal Glasgow from 16 to 18 April — is a glittering love letter to the legendary Gene Kelly, and it might just be the show that changes your mind.

Think jazz, think Hollywood glamour, think Greek gods behaving badly — all set to the sparkling music of Frédéric Chopin, George Gershwin and Maurice Ravel, performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. This isn't dusty tutus and impenetrable mime. This is ballet at its most fun, its most glamorous, and its most accessible.

A love story with a twist

Starstruck tells a wonderfully entertaining story on two levels. In a rehearsal studio, a choreographer searching for the perfect ballerina falls head over heels for a dazzling newcomer — his Star Ballerina. Their real-life romance becomes tangled up with the ballet they're creating together: a retelling of the tempestuous love affair between Zeus and Aphrodite on Mount Olympus.

Gods and mortals, artists and muses — the two worlds mirror each other in a tale of jealousy, ambition, a dream sequence set at a shimmering Hollywood party, and ultimately, love. There's humour, drama, and a dazzling finale set at the Paris Opéra. You don't need to know a single ballet term to follow the story — it's told entirely through movement, music, and sheer theatrical spectacle.

Gene Kelly's legacy, lovingly revived

The production has a remarkable pedigree. It's built around original choreography by Gene Kelly himself — the man who made the whole world want to dance in the rain. Scottish Ballet's CEO and Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson CBE, has worked closely with Kelly's widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, to bring this production to life. First revived by Scottish Ballet in 2021, this 2026 version is billed as "the director's cut" — enhanced and extended into a full two-act production.

Critics have been effusive. The Scotsman called it "a feel good triumph," The Telegraph deemed it "heavenly," and The Herald simply said "joy." Five stars across the board.

What you need to know

Scottish Ballet's Starstruck plays at Theatre Royal Glasgow (282 Hope Street, G2 3QA) from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April 2026. Evening performances run at 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

The show runs for approximately one hour and 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval — a perfectly civilised evening out.

For those wanting to dig a little deeper, there's a Talk Ballet session before the Friday evening performance at 6.30pm, followed by a post-show talk with Christopher Hampson and Patricia Ward Kelly herself. It's a rare chance to hear from the woman who shared Gene Kelly's life and now helps safeguard his artistic legacy.

Tickets are available through ATG Tickets at atgtickets.com or via the Scottish Ballet website at scottishballet.co.uk. Group bookings of 10 or more can call 020 7206 1174.

The production continues its Scottish tour after Glasgow, visiting Eden Court Theatre in Inverness (24–25 April), His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen (1–2 May), and the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh (7–9 May).

Why you should go

Whether you're a lifelong ballet lover or someone who's never set foot in a theatre, Starstruck offers something genuinely special: live orchestral music, world-class dancing, a story you can follow without a programme, and the irresistible spirit of Gene Kelly. It's glamorous, it's fun, and it's right here in Glasgow.

Sometimes the stars really do align.