Trev could not wait to return to Milton Keynes Theatre last night (15/04) to see the highly-anticipated Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and here is his full review...
The experience
Last night I was lucky enough to go and see Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, The Next Generation, at the fabulous Mk Theatre with my daughter. We'd previously seen a classic version but all I knew of this version was that the swans would be male rather than the traditional female. Having previously seen Matthew Bourne's The Nutcracker though and the fact that this show has now reached its 30th anniversary and travelled the world, I had high expectations. I was not disappointed!
The story follows the prince, bound by the limiting conventions of his place in society, lacking the love of a cold mother, finding love in an unlikely place, with a beautiful male swan. We are led to an ultimately tragic though fitting end but the journey is spectacular and we loved so much about it.
There is a variety of dance styles, classical ballet and more modern, with the swans barefoot. The dancing is just superb - so much energy and emotion from all. The sets are simple but so effective, the prince's huge bed, the white asylum with just a door and high window, the park with its lake and lapping water sounds and twinkling sky. The costumes are beautiful, the feathery 'shorts' of the swans, leaving their muscly torsos uncovered and the colours of his mother's dresses reflecting her behaviour as cold and distant in white and then sexual in red, the pink of the prince's unconventional girlfriend fracturing the blackness of other characters. Tchaikovsky's score is of course beautiful and every move just seemed to fit it so well. An early scene where the household servants are readying the prince for the day ahead is so musical. The swans added their own hissing sounds and used the slaps of their feet and hands adding to the emotion created by their incredibly powerful dancing. Although it is a tragic tale there are also elements of brilliantly timed comedy coming sometimes from just a look from a character or the exaggerated movements of the girlfriend, or the private secretary with his 'stop-watch', or the unlikely appearance of an elderly lady with a shopping trolley....and the dog!
There is just so much to say about this show that it's hard to know where to start or where to stop. We loved it and the standing ovation from the audience really says it all.
The story
Thrilling, bold, witty and emotive, this genre-defining event is still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turning tradition on its head.
This groundbreaking production of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago and has since become the most successful dance theatre production of all time. In celebration of that ongoing impact, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake will take flight once more in this major revival, as the next generation of dancers brings it to new audiences across the UK.
Making their debuts as The Swan/The Stranger are rising New Adventures stars, Harrison Dowzell, Jackson Fisch and Rory Macleod, alongside James Lovell, Leonardo McCorkindale and Stephen Murray as The Prince, Nicole Kabera and Ashley Shaw as The Queen, Katrina Lyndon as The Queen and the Girlfriend, and Bryony Wood as the Girlfriend.
The company is completed by Matthew Amos, Benjamin Barlow Bazeley, Alistair Beattie, Ben Brown, Carla Contini, Jade Copas, Anna Maria de Freitas, Perreira de Jesus Franque, Jamie Duncan-Campbell, Alexander Fadayiro, Savannah Ffrench, Cameron Flynn, Louis Fukuhara, Louis Harris, Kurumi Kamayachi, Aristide Lyons, Callum Mann, Eleanor McGrath, Jarrod McWilliams, Maisie Mwebe, Mukeni Nel, Eve Ngbokota, George-Murray Nightingale, Harry Ondrak-Wright, Barnaby Quarendon, Molly Shaw-Downie, Nikolas Shikkis, Xavier Andriambolanoro Sotiya, Tom Standing and Christina Walters.
Matthew Bourne said , “It’s hard to believe that our Swan Lake is now 30 years old and even harder to acknowledge that we are now casting most Swans and Princesses who were not even born at the time of the show’s premiere! Many dancers have grown up with this production and dreaming of one day dancing in it, so I am particularly excited to announce this line-up of young performers.
Many of these dancers have been nurtured through our many talent development programmes at New Adventures, notably Swan School. I know from experience what a life changing experience this show has been for previous casts and how it has inspired new audiences for dance throughout the world. I am therefore truly thrilled to welcome the next generation of swans and swan watchers as we celebrate three decades of our Swan Lake.”
Thrilling, bold, witty and emotive, this genre-defining event is still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turning tradition on its head.
First staged at Sadler’s Wells in London in 1995, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake took the dance theatre world by storm becoming the longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway. It has since been performed across the globe, collecting over thirty international accolades including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and three Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
Fortnum & Mason is the Official Partner of Swan Lake. Edwardian Hotels is the Official Hotel Partner.
Book your tickets now
LISTINGS
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Performances: Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr 2025 (evenings @ 7:30pm, matinees @ 2:30pm)
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
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