Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 22nd February 2025
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
Nottingham’s Theatre Royal this evening welcomed one of the most successful dance theatre productions of all time: Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures rendition of Swan Lake. And what a privilege it was to be there.
This innovative production of Tchaikovsky’s classic is being revived in a UK tour celebrating 30 years since its premier at Sadlers Wells, London in 1995. Choreographed and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne with the cast of New Adventures dance company, this is a triumphant and profoundly moving interpretation, full of strength and beauty. Harrison Dowzell mesmerises with his performance as the Swan/the Stranger, full of power and grace. As the leader of the male swans, he is both tender and aggressive. Bourne’s flock of male swans is such a moving sight combining classical and contemporary ballet with imitative swan-like gestures, which create a wild and menacing feeling. And, of course this was the reason that his production become so well-known: replacing the female corps-de-ballet with an all-male ensemble – a daring and radical step thirty years ago.
The Prince is played sensitively by James Lovell with his mixture of vulnerability, boyishness and confusion. Leading us to the female roles of the Queen (Nicole Kabera) showing a haughty power and coldness in her stately position; and the Girlfriend (Bryony Wood), who has excellent comic timing with a cheeky naughtiness. There is a lot of humour in this production, with lively modern dance scenes set in downtown bars, as well as formal dances in the royal household. The costumes of beautiful ballgowns and evening wear are bright and dazzling with not a tutu in sight.
There is a darkness to the dream scenes with the swans hissing as the Prince tries to gain access to this other world. The scenes with the swans are swirlingly moving and emotional with an energetic power which is hypnotic.
A rousing standing ovation at the end of the evening said it all, with tears and appreciative applause resounding around the theatre.