Swan Lake
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake breathes new life into the classic ballet, infusing it with a bold, contemporary twist that challenges traditional interpretations. Known for his innovative choreography, Bourne's reimagining of Tchaikovsky's iconic score introduces a world of dark, moody glamour, where the swans are no longer delicate creatures but instead fierce, malevolent beings, their movements a mix of athleticism and raw power. The production’s striking set design, combined with a provocative gender reversal of the lead roles, creates a compelling narrative that is both haunting and electrifying, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
I’ve been a fan of Matthew Bourne’s work for many years and seen countless productions of his, always leaving the theatre in awe of what I’ve witnessed, and Swan Lake is no exception. Playing at the Birmingham Hippodrome until the 15th February 2025, following which an extensive tour of the UK continues, the company of New Adventures are every inch stunning in their performance and characterisation embodying why Bourne is such a trailblazer in this genre of dance.
As the impressive digital curtain portraying a solitary swan gliding away lifts, the sight of a ginormous bed in lavish surroundings greets us. The Prince, played in this performance by Stephen Murray is seen struggling to sleep as The Swan (Jackson Fisch) appears at his window. The story is carried along beautifully by the exquisite music of Tchaikovsky which provides drama, intensity, tenderness and serenity. Each and every moment during this production is simply magnificent.
Something that Bourne does so well is blend humour into each of his shows, which is extremely hard to do without any dialogue, however the stellar cast were able to provide us with some laugh out loud moments, none more so than the Opera House scene where we witness a kaleidoscope of butterflies playing the ‘dying Swan’ role extremely well. This is the only time we see pointe work, with the rest of the production having that more contemporary feel.
The costuming for this production is world class. The decision to have all the male swans with bare torsos really accentuated the movement of their bodies giving you a bird’s eye view of how incredible the human body is and what it can do. Each movement of flight was believable, the use of hands to portray the long slender necks of swans and their fierce nature when under threat was truly spectacular. The New Adventures company is vast for this production and as soon as the full group numbers take to the stage it’s breath-taking how spatially aware all the performers are and how they flow so succinctly together. There is definite harmony within this incredible cast.
There are so many moments of genius, it’s hard to articulate every single one, but needless to say this is a production worth seeing time and time again. It’s dramatic, heartfelt, funny and visually stunning. Another complete masterpiece from the mind of Matthew Bourne. Even if ballet isn’t for you, I would urge you to see at least one Bourne production, and of course would recommend Swan Lake as your first, you’ll soon be hooked!
This show was reviewed on the 6th February 2025 at the Birmingham Hippodrome where it runs until the 15th February 2025. Tickets can be purchased here: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake – Birmingham Hippodrome
For full tour dates visit: Swan Lake | New Adventures
Review written by Emma Rowley
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Photo credit: Johan Persson
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