Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake *****
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Sadler’s Wells, 12th December 2018
For all their surface serenity, swans are dangerous beasts. Being confronted by their fierce wingbeats can be an intimidating experience. So why not apply these characteristics to Swan Lake? That’s just what Matthew Bourne did at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, cleaving apart the traditional image of ballerina swans in feathery tutus, turning them into a savage, predatory all-male corps. Despite ruffling traditionalist feathers, it became a huge success, playing to audiences worldwide. Now, Bourne’s male swans take flight again, led spectacularly by Royal Ballet principal, Matthew Ball.
Matthew Ball and Swan corps
© Johan Persson
Read the full review on Bachtrack.