PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL 20TH SEPTEMBER 2025
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
Drawing on his exceptional talent for creating a moving narrative through dance, Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell at the Liverpool Playhouse was a remarkable success in the realm of dance-theatre, leaving the audience captivated by its emotional resonance and cinematic storytelling. Bourne, an accomplished choreographer, skilfully captured the evocative essence of Patrick Hamilton’s novel, presenting a heart-wrenching and unforgettable depiction of love, loss, and loneliness. The performance intricately wove together the complex lives of lonely patrons and staff within a pub, resulting in a truly mesmerizing experience.
The success of the production relies on the harmonious interplay of choreography, design, sound, and lighting, all collaborating seamlessly to convey a deeply human story without any spoken dialogue. Lez Brotherston’s atmospheric sets and period-accurate costumes, brought to life by Paule Constable’s evocative film-noir lighting, vividly capture the essence of 1930s Soho. The original score by Terry Davies, complemented by Paul Groothuis’s immersive sound design, beautifully conveys the production’s emotional depth and ambiance. The fluid choreography enables multiple narratives to emerge simultaneously, weaving a rich and intricate tapestry of human emotion. Together, their collaborative brilliance creates a richly detailed, cinematic world where choreography and design work hand in hand as integral components of the storytelling.
The overlapping bedroom scene is a creative and meaningful dance piece that effectively uses stagecraft to emphasise loneliness and the struggle for connection. Instead of focusing on one intimate moment, Bourne cleverly uses a single bed as a backdrop to illustrate two simultaneous and contrasting romantic stories. Each couple is caught in their own story of longing and sadness, highlighting that even when surrounded by others, it’s common to feel a deep sense of loneliness. This approach adds depth to the narrative, engaging the audience in the experience.
This remarkable piece resonates long after the curtain descends, demonstrating that the most powerful tales of the human experience are frequently conveyed without uttering a single word. It cements Bourne’s legacy as an artist who converts basic human vulnerability into awe-inspiring and indelible theatre.