Sir Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is soon to grace our city, and it’s not one to be missed!
This classic tale was originally composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875 and is known to be a timeless love story across the globe. Combining passion and tragedy with what is arguably the most powerful style of dance, this production captivates its audience long after leaving their seats.
The enchanting story traditionally features a swan princess, Odette, and a prince, Prince Siegfried, conveying the tale of their forbidden love as Odette changes form from day to night under the curse of a sorcerer.
Holding eight Olivier awards and a Knighthood for his services to dance, Bourne is renowned for his unusual and breathtaking interpretations of traditional ballet. His dance-theatre company, New Adventures, are “committed to finding and developing diverse young talent”, delivering initiatives such as Swan School, a two-week long intensive designed to prepare their graduate-level dancers for the audition process.
New Adventures’ annual open auditions were attended by over four hundred hopefuls; a gruelling process throughout which Bourne and his associate artists, Lez Brotherston and Paule Constable, have selected only the most talented and ambitious dancers. Working behind the scenes to create an unforgettable production, Brotherston ditches the tutus for feathered slacks and paints each performer with a sleek, black beak, putting a simple, yet tasteful spin on this reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
Starring Will Bozier and Max Westall, both dancers make their debut as The Swan, challenging all conventions of the typical female ensemble. Returning to the role of The Prince, Liam Mower and Dominic North are accompanied by New Adventures’ newcomer, James Lovell, who will also make his professional debut with the company.
The show will take place at Liverpool Empire Theatre from Tuesday 9 April to Saturday 13 April and will then go on to tour internationally, spreading its magic worldwide.