Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 15 March 2025
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
It has been 30 years since Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake first spread its wings at Saddlers Wells,London. Back in the heady days of 1995,based on Tchaikovsky’s world renowned masterpiece, Matthew switched up the classic line up of female swans, replacing them with a predominantly male cast. Although this did ruffle some feathers, it has become a huge global success and changed the Genre forever for the better.
A love deprived Prince, ruled by his cold hearted Mother, seeks comfort and freedom. To be free from the constraints that duty impose on him and for once, feel the warmth of someone who sees his worth for who he really is, not his status in society. At a drunken low point, he encounters a swan who reaches out to him and shows him what true love can feel like, through the most beautiful, passion filled, gentle dance sequence.
Sadly, when the Prince is reunited with the Swan in his human form, he is rebuffed and spirals into behaviour which sees him locked away by his mother in an institution with very questionable forms of “therapy”.
Throughout the whole performance we do see humour, some real belly laugh moments, usually on the periphery of what’s going on centre stage. The characters are very recognisable with those we currently see, and how some think social stature and fame is the aim in life.
Of course, the biggest delight is Matthew’s choreography of the male swans. Breathtakingly beautiful, strong yet delicate. The perfect balance.
Then that final scene … oh that final scene! I’ve seen this several times over the years, and it always leaves my cheeks wet with tears and an ache in my chest, every single time.
Even if you never see another Ballet again, this one is a must, only you can decide if you believe the Swan is real or a part of the Princes imagination.
Sublimely beautiful, yet gritty.