Scotland’s national ballet company has hired “intimacy coaches” in a bid to “safeguard” its dancers during sexual and violent scenes.

       In what is believed to be a world first for a ballet company, Scottish Ballet said it would train its dancers to realistically portray erotically charged routines while “maintaining a safe and respectful working environment”.

       The use of intimacy coaches has become increasingly common in TV and film, following the rise of the Me Too movement and multiple reports of women being treated inappropriately or sexually abused on sets.

       Scottish Ballet announced the move ahead of the premiere of a new production of The Scandal at Mayerling, which audiences will be warned in advance includes themes of sexual violence, suicide, addiction and mental illness.

       The company hired to run the sessions, Rc-Annie, claims to help create “safe spaces” for performers in film and theatre productions and advises over issues such as nudity and on how to produce scenes depicting rape.

       Scottish Ballet said it had hired the coaches due to the dark nature of The Scandal at Mayerling, but it will also consider using them on future productions.

       “It is important that all our dancers, rehearsal staff and stage management are fully supported as we embark on rehearsing and performing scenes which include intimacy, sex, physical and sexual violence,” said Christopher Hampson, Scottish Ballet’s artistic director.

       “Rc-Annie will lead workshops including boundary setting and coaching on how to safely rehearse scenes which include sexual content and emotionally charged exchanges.”

       HBO’s The Deuce, an explicit TV drama about the porn industry in the 1970s, was among the first screen productions to hire intimacy coaches, for its second series in 2019.

       Since then, they have been used on Netflix’s Glow, a drama about women’s professional wrestling in 1980s Los Angeles. Coaches are now hired for all HBO productions involving intimate scenes.

       'Awkward' scenes

       Ruth Wilson, star of Showtime's The Affair, claimed recently that sex scenes on the show were "desperately awkward" due to a lack of coaches, who she said were "really scientific" about filming.

       Mr Hampson added: I believe that taking this approach will equip our dancers, and their coaches, with the relevant skills to authentically portray the characters and scenes while maintaining a safe and respectful working environment.

       “I am proud that Scottish Ballet is investing in this necessary training and look forward to how it will help us grow as we develop our repertoire for the future.”

       Scottish Ballet has promised that its version of The Scandal at Mayerling, which was first staged in 1978, will “startle” audiences with a “sumptuous production” that is both “intimate and epic.”

       It depicts “shocking real life events” from 1889 and focuses on Prince Rudolph, a Crown Prince of Austria, who is believed to have died in a murder-suicide pact with his 17-year-old lover.

       It is claimed that he developed a “morbid fascination with death” and his demise interrupted the Habsburg line of succession, eventually meaning Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination led to the outbreak of World War I, became heir-apparent to the Austrian throne.

       The training provided by Rc-Annie will also include the safe use of replica firearms.

       Elin Steele, the set and costume designer, said the ballet included an ensemble of “really complicated, vibrant characters who drive the narrative.”

       She added: “The world that we’ve created is opulent but also incredibly dark and threatening. It’s an elaborate, ambitious production.”

       The ballet will tour Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh between April and May this year.