Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake returns with a fresh look for the 21st century. Retaining the iconic elements of the original production loved by millions around the world, Matthew Bourne and award-winning designers Lez Brotherston (Set & Costumes) and Paule Constable (Lighting) will create an exciting re-imagining of the classic production.

Thrilling, audacious, witty and emotive, this Swan Lake is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm. Read more …

Collecting over thirty international accolades including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tonys on Broadway, Matthew Bourne’s powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a passionate and contemporary Swan Lake for our times.

The critical consensus

For those who come new to the ballet, this is a brilliant adventure. For those who have seen it before, it stands the tests of time and repetition.

Thom Dibdin, All Edinburgh Theatre, 17/10/2108

As innovative and mesmerising as it was first time around.

Aisling McGuire, The Wee Review, 18/10/2018

23 years after its debut, the designs have evolved but the performance is just as powerful.

Kelly Apter, The List, 23/10/2018

Swan Lake is a captivating classic of a composition, one you will want to migrate back to for a repeat viewing instantly.

Adam Robinson, Broadway World, 06/03/2019

Ballet snobs will hate it, but you would need to be emotionally and artistically devoid to fail to appreciate the visual spectacle and the sheer originality of storytelling and staging. Nearly a quarter of a century on it remains as utterly perfect as it ever was. Unmissable.

Lauren Humphreys, The Reviews Hub, 06/03/2019