Modern Classic Takes Flight in Milton Keynes

Naomi MacKay watched Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake at Milton Keynes Theatre – running until Saturday 19 April.

Can you believe it’s 30 years since Matthew Bourne’s groundbreaking twist on the classic Swan Lake first flew onto the stage?

As Matthew himself says: ‘It’s hard to believe that our Swan Lake is now 30 years old and even harder to acknowledge that we are now casting most Swans and Princesses who were not even born at the time of the show’s premiere! Many dancers have grown up with this production and dreaming of one day dancing in it, so I am particularly excited to announce this line-up of young performers.’’ (Several cast members trained at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.)

First off, it’s an absolute delight to see so many dancers on stage in a touring production – so often dance shows suffer because the touring company is shrunk beyond recognition – and seeing so many of the now iconic male swans recreating Bourne’s sensational choreography on the Milton Keynes stage is a real treat.

Instead of the graceful female ensemble ballet lovers will know from the classic ballet, here they are replaced by a menacing flock of masculine dancers with glistening torsos and in the now famous feathery costumes.

I would recommend checking out the story before you go to the theatre, as it veers from the well-known tale, and instead of the classic love story, it presents a menacing tale of obsession and betrayal, centring on the intimate yet dysfunctional relationship between the emotionally troubled Prince (James Lovell) and his cold, imperious mother, the Queen (Nicola Kabera): understanding some of the nuances of the story and the characters will really help your understanding during the performance.

That aside, the costumes are fabulous, ranging from full-skirted 50s frocks reminiscent of Dior’s New Look, to dazzling 60s mini outfits. And Bourne injects humour along the way, especially from the Prince’s social-climber girlfriend (Bryony Wood) – and do look out for the cameo from a royal corgi!

It’s a bold and witty and mesmerising production, accompanied of course by Tchaikovsky’s score, which will be familiar to most, even if you’ve never been to the ballet before.

It’s not ‘ballet’ as we know it, but a thrilling production that fully deserved the standing ovation it received.

Book your tickets at atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes.