Casting announced for Matthew Bourne's legendary dance thriller THE CAR MAN * Fairy Powered Productions

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

MATTHEW BOURNE’S LEGENDARY DANCE THRILLER

AS IT RETURNS FOR AN EXTENSIVE UK TOUR

OPENING AT CURVE, LEICESTER
FROM 15 JUNE 2026

BEFORE VISITING A FURTHER 17 VENUES

INCLUDING

A 5-WEEK SUMMER SEASON

SADLER’S WELLS

New Adventures is delighted to announce casting for Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance thriller THE CAR MAN which returns for a 2026 UK tour, opening at Curve, Leicester on 15 June 2026 before visiting a further 17 venues over 23 weeks, including a 5-week summer season at Sadler’s Wells. The production will then play a newly announced weeklong run at Royal Theater Carré, Amsterdam. Listings information below.

The title role of the magnetic Luca, “The Car Man”, will be played by Will Bozier and Harrison Dowzell, both former lead Swans in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, alongside New Adventures’ much-loved stars, Cordelia Braithwaite and Ashley Shaw as the alluring Lana. Rising stars, Leonardo McCorkindale and Harry Ondrak-Wright play the troubled misfit, Angelo, whilst Anna Maria de Freitas with Kurumi Kamayachi make their leading role debuts as Lana’s devoted sister, Rita. Danny Reubens and the original “Car Man” himself, Alan Vincent will portray Lana’s jealous husband, Dino.

Joining them as the other inhabitants of the USA town of “HARMONY” are Jack Frame, Serena McCall, Rae Miller, Jack Widdowson and Karishma Young, who all make their New Adventures debuts in the production, alongside returning New Adventures performers, Tanisha Addicott, Jamie Duncan-Campbell, Cameron Flynn, Rory Macleod, Callum Mann, Eleanor McGrath, Jarrod McWilliams, Eve Ngbokota, Nikolas Shikkis, Xavier Andriambolanoro-Sotiya and Lyra Treglown.

Matthew Bourne said today:

“As we announce a thrilling new 2026 cast for our dance thriller, THE CAR MAN, it’s interesting to reflect on how iconic, unique and sought after the leading roles in this show have become since it was made in 2000. We are still the only company in the world to perform this production and yet the roles of Luca, Lana, Angelo, Rita and Dino have become as legendary as the show itself and a unique part of the UK dance landscape for several generations of young dancers. I’m proud that New Adventures never just “revives” a show; we re-invent, question and grow with each new cast which is why I’m so excited to revisit the small town of Harmony this summer and, much like Luca himself, shake things up a bit!”

THE CAR MAN was first seen in 2000, winning the Evening Standard Award for Musical Event of the Year and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Choreography. It was last seen in a unique revival for The Royal Albert Hall’s 150^th Birthday in 2022. This expanded production received rave reviews and nightly standing ovations. However, this will be the first time THE CAR MAN has toured since 2015.

Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera, THE CAR MAN has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire. The familiar 19^th century Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy 1950s garage-diner in the American Mid-West where the dreams and passions of a small-town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome and enigmatic stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.

Directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, THE CAR MAN has music by Terry Davies & Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite (after Bizet’s Carmen), with sound by Paul Groothuis, lighting by Chris Davey and design by Lez Brotherston.

For more information please visit: www.new-adventures.net

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LISTINGS

MONDAY 15 – SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2026

CURVE, LEICESTER

www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 23 – SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2026

LOWRY, SALFORD

thelowry.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 30 JUNE – SATURDAY 4 JULY 2026