Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake visits North West venues

Feb 11 2010 by Jo Henwood, Flintshire Chronicle

Fans of Billy Elliot will know that the crowning glory of Stephen Daldry’s film is when the talented young dancer lands a role in a leading ballet.

That ballet was Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, the modern classic which is touring the region from February 15.

Bourne’s re-interpretation of the traditional ballet is at the Regent Theatre in Stoke (Feb 15 - 20), the Liverpool Empire Theatre (Feb 22 - 27) and The Lowry (March 1 - 6).

Premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, Bourne’s triumphant adaptation took the dance world by storm and continues to delight and challenge audiences around the world.

It holds the record of being the longest running ballet in the West End and on Broadway and has already enjoyed four successful tours in the UK.

In the ballet, Bourne, who has just celebrated his 50th birthday, turns tradition on its head by dispensing with the pretty, floating female corps de ballet, replacing it instead with a menacing male ensemble.

Casting for this revival includes a mix of established performers from Bourne’s New Adventures company and newcomers. The coveted role of The Swan is shared by Richard Winsor, who created the title roles in Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands (2005) and Dorian Gray (2008) and Jonathan Ollivier who is making his debut with the company.

For tickets, contact Regent Theatre Stoke Box Office: 08448 717 620, www.ambassadortickets.com/Regent-Theatre; Liverpool Empire Box Office: 0844 847 2525, www.liverpoolempire.org.uk:The Lowry Box Office: 0843 2086005 or www.thelowry.com.