Performer: Sophie Martin

Ballet isn’t always pretty, there are plenty of examples in repertoires across the world. John Neumeier’s Streetcar Named Desire (Endstation Sehnsucht) is to reach another level of grim but gripping brutality told through dance.

Ballett am Rhein open their season by bringing their programme to Düsseldorf, Soirée Ravel. Marking the 150th birthday of composer Maurice Ravel, audiences are treated to four of his most famous compositions.

Ballet Nights is more than an evening of party pieces: it showcases emerging talent alongside older favourites and, in the case of this first Scottish outing, has an eye to local tradition.