New Adventures brings Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake to Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Bourne himself – and first performed back in 1995 – this is a masterclass in innovative ballet, drawing a new audience to this traditional theatre form.

Bourne takes the original story, score and dances, and adds a contemporary twist too – most notably casting all the traditionally-female swans as male dancers. Swan Lake is, at its heart, a love story, but this production is so much more…

A ballet is always notable for the amount of dancers involved. The ensemble are all superb dancers, each bringing their own nuances to the variety of characters they play. Every performer can switch seamlessly between everything from maids, club dancers and debutantes, to soldiers, sailors and the swans themselves. 

Ballet is just as much about acting and storytelling as it is about dancing; and oh boy, can this cast act! James Lovell as the Prince embodies the nativity and vulnerability of someone held captive by his upbringing and privilege, but unable to find the love he craves from his family. Lovell moves like nobody I’ve ever seen before – making every moment seem so natural and effortless. He switches from graceful to jerky and erratic, to reflect his descent into madness.

Rory McLeod is superb as the Swan/the stranger. He brings a strong sense of masculinity to an incredibly physically demanding role but also shows a gentle, caring and almost paternal side. The intense connection between Lovell and McLeod is palpable.  

Katrina Lyndon was well cast as the Queen. Lyndon captured the distant, haughty nature of a Royal, who preferred the company of her soldiers to her own son. Bryony Wood as a girlfriend has the most amazing facial expressions! She plays the seductress role well, and has excellent comic timing. Benjamin Barlow Bazeley as the private secretary is suitably scheming in his plans to keep up appearances at all costs, for the sake of the royal family.

Lez Brotherston’s set and costume design perfectly reflects Bourne’s balance of the traditional and contemporary. Costumes are lavish, however ball dresses are swapped for cocktail dresses in the Royal Ball scene. The Queen and Prince could belong to any era, but this makes the production both relatable and accessible. My only slight quibble is the swans didn’t have feathers. Instead we see loops of wool which, in all fairness works well, but I did miss the feathers from earlier productions.

The set itself is oversized and deliberately wonky. It gives the entire production a dream-like quality and reflects the mental turmoil of the prince. Paule Constable’s lighting design is equally superb. Constable plays with light and shadow throughout;  most notably in the Prince’s Private quarters scene where the Prince, the Queen, and a mirror frame created a beautiful shadow puppet illusion.

Worth sticking your neck out for? Almost certainly! The production received a deserving standing ovation. Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake truly soars.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake runs at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre until May 17th. Find out more and book your tickets at https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/matthew-bournes-swan-lake-2024

Disclaimer: Tickets were kindly provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.