Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake at The Bristol Hippodrome

Posted on: 2014-05-21

Our rating:

The final scene where the swans turn on the Trenfield's Swan, are superb, dramatic and touching. Bourne's Swan Lake rightly received a standing ovation upon the final curtain. This really is a must see production.



Matthew Bourne’s version of Swan Lake has been around now for almost twenty years, yet the inspired decision of Bourne to replace the all female swans with male dancers remains just as powerful today. The Male swans threaten viciousness and power with every leap around the stage and effortlessly capture the grace yet power that we know swans possess.

***Click to purchase Swan Lake tickets from The Bristol Hippodrome website***

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake is more contemporary dance with elements of theatre, rather than a traditional ballet. In fact, in one scene in which the Queen, her son and his date (played for laughs by the delightful Anjali Mehra), a ballet is performed both for the royal audience and of course ourselves. In this scene Bourne mocks classical ballet with his witty parody.

The music, itself, is the one thing true to Swan Lake as we know it, Bourne choosing to use Tchaikovsky's original music, however instead of the classical ballet we're used to seeing accompany this music, we're treated instead to dance using a variety of modern techniques, of which the sheer physicality is simply stunning. The dancer's sweat belying how effortless their moves seem to the watching audience. 

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake is divided into 4 acts, with the swans not making their entrance until Act Two. Until their entrance we're treated to the unfolding Freudian relationship between Queen and her son, the Prince, one that descends into depression, violence and struggle as she rebuffs his desperate need for attention and love. 

The meeting of the Swan (played by the quite incredible Chris Trenfield) and the Prince (Simon William), in a park under a full moon is simply mesmerising. The Swan struts around with both grace and overt menace, it really is magical, and surprisingly the dance duets between the pair work. 

The final scene where the swans turn on the Trenfield's Swan, are superb, dramatic and touching. 

Bourne’s Swan Lake rightly received a standing ovation upon the final curtain. This really is a must see production!

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake at The Bristol Hippodrome5/5 reviewed by BA for 365Bristol

Swan Lake is showing from 20-24 May 2014 at The Bristol Hippodrome

Box Office. 0844 8713012

Book online : Click for Bristol Hippodrome website
 



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.