Choreographer and Director: Matthew Bourne
Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The rumours are true — Matthew Bourne’s ground-breaking production of Swan Lake will leave a cheering crowd up on their feet, in tears and begging for another round of bows. This year, Bourne’s staged extravaganza of Tchaikovsky’s classic Swan Lake celebrates its 30th anniversary. The three-act recital has paved the way for choreographers to push boundaries and blur the lines of traditional dance forms globally. Tuesday night is no exception.
The show begins with a nod to the traditional classic, as black and white swans grace the stage, evoking the feel of an old film. The room settles into the next two and a bit hours of breathtaking movement, humorous acting and costumes of colour and joy. Unlike the original Swan Lake, which, although beautiful and timeless in its own way, is at times inaccessible with its traditional form, Bourne’s production modernises dance to the degree that all ages, genders, sexualities, etc. can sit comfortably and engage thoroughly.
The all-male ensemble of swans appears as if from a dream of mist (or the Prince’s imagination), leaping on stage with elegance and mystery. As each swan dances, it glows with their own individual personality, highlighting that although these swans travel in a herd, they are each their own mind, body and soul. Each movement is executed with precision, taking flight in groups as they mirror choreography, moving as one or battling against the other, reminding audiences that they are not to be challenged. The sequences give the image of a white feathered army.
What is surprising is the amount of humour Bourne’s production shares with the room. Giggles echo through the theatre as Bryony Wood steals moments here and there. With her charismatic portrayal of the girlfriend, Wood is initially painted as a potential villain, but later grasps the hearts of the room as she becomes the perfect portrait of naivety, a love-bombed victim and an inexperienced youth (all in a perfectly wrapped blonde, pink parcel). Each cast member’s dancing is of the highest standard, performing a collection of different skills from jazz, ballet, Spanish, ballroom, just to name a few. Not one foot steps out of line, nor one head turns the wrong direction.
Bourne’s production of Swan Lake is nothing short of sensual and bold, from a prince’s bedroom and a seedy club to a city park and a royal ball, the entirety of the story feels igniting — however the room isn’t always sure what it is igniting; heartbreak, fear, seduction, power, love; often a mixture of two with an ominous over-coating.
This piece is timeless; it will run and run and never get old. Bourne is using Swan Lake to ask a very important question: Can you take a classic ‘not to be touched’ tale and adapt it to suit the times we live in now, without losing its beauty? The answer… yes… 100%…yes.
Runs until 4 October 2025 and continues to tour
