Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake Wows Scotland En Route to New York

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE

“THE HERALD” RAVE REVIEW IN SCOTLAND

FIVE STARS!

“It gets better with age. No matter how often you see this piece, it never disappoints.…and all to a familiar Tchaikovsky score that, like the classic ballet, crackles with compelling new complexities thanks to Bourne’s willingness to take risks with cozy conventions.” – The Herald

CLICK TO READ THE REVIEW

http://tinyurl.com/2wc62ud

TONY AWARD^® WINNING PRODUCTION

RETURNS TO NEW YORK AT CITY CENTER

FIRST PERFORMANCE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13

In advance of its upcoming return New York engagement this month, MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE opened at Glasgow’s Theatre Royale in Scotland to rave reviews this week.

The Glasgow engagement, which plays through this Saturday, October 2, marks the final stop for the critically acclaimed UK tour company prior to arriving at New York City Center for performances beginning Wednesday, October 13.

Produced by New York City Center, Sadler’s Wells Theater London and Back Row Productions, the groundbreaking and multi-award-winning international hit production will play a strictly limited run through Sunday, November 7, 2010.

THE HERALD – September 30, 2010

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Theatre Royal, Glasgow

By Mary Brennan

Someone asked me at the interval how many times I’ve seen this show – and I honestly can’t remember. What I can say is, it gets better with age. Bourne has cut back on the slyly winking details that 15 years ago had us tee-hee-ing at how his royal court spoofed our own – the (toy) corgi is close on the only remnant of that mischief. So now, even though the action is still anchored in the arid majesty of the Prince’s life, the circumstances that twist his loneliness into tragedy ache with an affectingly common humanity.

Back in 1995, the eye-opener that brought gasps – some thrilled, others miffed – was Bourne’s decision to cast his swans as an all-male troupe, bare-torsoed and potently muscular in white feathery britches. Now, as then, the impact of their arrival stirs the senses as well as the imagination. And with Richard Winsor as the lead Swan, who can blame Dominic North’s endearingly naive, susceptible Prince for wanting to fly high on wings of untrammelled freedom?

Read the rest of the review: http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage-visual-arts/matthew-bourne-s-swan-lake-theatre-royal-glasgow-1.1058237

Matthew Bourne blends dance, humor and spectacle with extravagant, award-winning set and costume designs by Lez Brotherston and lighting design by Rick Fisher, to create a provocative and powerful Swan Lake for our times.  Now firmly crowned as a modern-day classic, this iconic production is perhaps best known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble.

Collecting over 30 international theater awards, MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE has been acclaimed as a landmark achievement on the international stage. It has become the longest running ballet in the West End and on Broadway and enjoyed four hugely successful tours in the UK and thrilled audiences all over the world.

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE stars a mix of established New Adventures performers and newcomers. The company features Richard Winsor and Jonathan Ollivier returning to the role of “The Swan” following their 2009 debuts. Dominic North and Simon Williams will share the role of “The Prince.” Original Broadway cast member Nina Goldman will perform the role of “The Queen.”  Madelaine Brennan will also appear as “The Queen” and “The Girlfriend,” a role she’ll share with Shelby Williams. “The Private Secretary” will be danced by Steve Kirkham and Ashley Bain.

Ticket prices are $25, $50, $85, $110 and are available at the New York City Center Box Office, through CityTix at 212-581-1212, or online at www.nycitycenter.org/events.