Firmly crowned as a modern day classic, Matthew Bourne’s powerful, provocative and totally original interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm, dazzling audiences in the West End and Broadway, and across Europe, Asia and Australia. Read more …
Boldly shattering the traditional concept of swans in tutus and blending dance, humour and spectacle with extravagant award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston and lighting by Rick Fisher, Matthew Bourne has created a passionate and contemporary Swan Lake for our times.
As a whole, the production is near flawless. Audiences can expect to be hooked from start to finish – a truly breathtaking adaptation of a classic. An audio/visual spectacle like no other that is touring the UK just now. In short, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is unmissable.
Touching love story aside, Bourne’s trademark wit, glitz and glamour in the set and costume department, Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score and a hugely talented cast make this a winner from start to finish.
The packed theatre was on its feet at the curtain call, and this production truly does deserve 5 stars and the 30 awards it has won so far, more if possible.
Created nearly 20 years ago, is there a danger that Bourne’s ballet looks dated? The celebrity factor is more relevant than ever but in post-Aids, equal marriage 2014, the tortured gay man searching for love looks a tad stale. But the ballet still has the power to delight and move and, let’s face it, who needs tutus?
One thing is certain – this could not, in any way, be bettered.
The fact that something once regarded as daring and iconoclastic now seems to have been adopted into the tradition pays tribute to the loyalty and warmth the production continues to inspire in its army of admirers.
Interview: Jonathan Ollivier, lead dancer in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday February 18, 2014, until Saturday February 22, 2014. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday April 22, 2014, until Saturday April 26, 2014. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
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