This evening I had the absolute pleasure of seeing a Matthew Bourne ballet performed at The Wales Millenium Centre. Seeing his work again has been a top priority since I saw his take on “Sleeping Beauty”. A gothic retelling that brought many new twists to the often retold classic fairytale. The subtle humour and the horror undertones, paired with flawless performances of the dancers proved a perfect introduction to Bourne’s work and for the newcomers, to ballet itself.
Background:
Swan Lake was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky The tale of doomed love is synonimous with ballet. But for Matthew Bourne and his New Adventures Dance Company, it was the production that launched them from relative obscurity to international success. Since it’s initial premier in 1995, Bourne’s Swan Lake has sold out many times over on the West End, Broadway and in Hollywood. It’s the longest running full length ballet of all time, and has won over 40 International Awards.
The widely debated decision to cast all male swans was written off by many in it’s original production as campy and silly, however critics were proven wrong many times over by the success of the adaptation, that among audiences has become more famous than it’s own source material.
SPOILERS AHEAD…
Bourne’s Take:
The original ballet inspired by Eastern European folklore focused on a doomed love story, a prince who falls in love with a cursed maiden, forced to live as a Swan. But it’s the prince’s good nature and naivety that ultimately dooms the pair.
Bourne’s version however is more of a psychological thriller that chronicles the prince’s descent into madness. It paints the picture of a modern prince prone to nightmares and visions that stem from his loneliness and the distant nature of his very public life. Bored by his duties, rejected by his mother (The Queen) and desperate for some kind of connection, driven to suicide his only solace comes from a vision of Swans.
The all male cast of Swans bring an element of power to the performance that descends into outright aggression in the final act, they’re no group of cursed maidens, but vengeful creatures, that evoke fear in an audience.
There are political readings to the production, it subtly critiques monarchy and celebrity culture with scenes resembling the British media landscape of the 90’s. Meanwhile the male prince falling for the male swan could be considered a study of repressed homosexuality (mirroring Tchaikovsky’s own hidden sexuality).
But for me, the focus of the show was really about mental deterioriation. Which while handled with surrealism, was performed painfully realistically by the talented dancers.
Tonight’s Highlights:
The sets are always a highlight on Bourne Productions. These sets are no exception and range from elegant, gothic castles to sterile, brutalist asylums.
The use of lighting and shadows is masterful, not only do they enhance the story being told, but anyone who focuses on these elements will gain an entire supporting plot from them. It’s a testament to the storytelling at work.
The Girlfriend stole a large portion of the show. Dressed in neon pink she demands attention and succeeded in the difficult task of dancing flawlessly, but also delivering several moments of comic relief. Despite being a character with some agenda, she’s nuanced and comes across as without malicious intent. A rare femme fatale that endears herself to the audience.
The Swans provide some of the most powerful performances of the night. They’re animalistic in their movements and noises, they perfectly balance elegance with danger and in doing so reflect the deteriorating mental state of the Prince. Their eventual attack of the lead swan is nightmarish.
The Ballet within the Ballet was something I’ve never seen before on the stage, it provided some of tonight’s best moments. The costumes of the fictional performers were my favourite of the night.
The dancers themselves. Throughout the entire show full of elaborate and complicated routines, with no margin for error, there wasn’t a moment where any performer demonstrated anything less than perfection. Their ability to do that twice a day for an entire tour is a superhuman ability that I will never be able to grasp. It’s a testament to their training, discipline and dedication.
The Final Moments of the performance will stay with me for a long time. The grief of the queen as she finds her son’s body was so well performed, it was difficult not to feel sympathy for her (despite her own blame) and the imagery seen through the window is one of the most haunting and beautiful things I’ve seen at a theatre. I’ve watched several recordings since getting home, but it needs to be seen in person to be felt wholly.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re a longtime ballet fan, brand new to the game, or you just want to treat someone to a show. This is the one to see! It has something for everyone and you’ll be captivated from the Prologue to the Curtain Call.
T H E N A I V E F I L M M A K E R 