Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, with its all-male swans,was created in 1995 (same year as UKTW!) and has wowed audiences ever since. This production was the 2018 version, slight changes in choreography and new sets and lighting.

I have seen this before, though not since 2014, as well as seeing a number of traditional Swan Lakes over the years. Frankly, there is no comparision. Whilst I admire and enjoy the raditional, this version, with its powerful and engaging story, is very (very) much my favourite. The swans here are not "under the spell" but active, engaged and even frightening. Each character is well drawn and both danced and acted - particularly during the Royal Variertu Show and the Royal Ball - watch off-line sometimes to see how rue to character each performance is even when not part of the main thrust.

This really is a brautiful production which I highly recommend to both those who love ballet and dance and those who think it is difficult or elitist. An easy to follow, beautifully crafted story, action, plenty of humour, some truly delightful sequences (the disco is fab) and a powerfully emotional ending all add up to a brilliant night out. And yes, I shed a tear, you really do buy in to these characters so deeply.

Fabulous. Wonderful. Memorable. Go see ...