Matthew Bourne News

Stephen Sondheim's macabre musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street receives its highly anticipated San Francisco Opera premiere in a production featuring a cast of notable operatic stars and performed with Sondheim's original score for the lyric stage.

The Sarasota Ballet, acclaimed for their vitality, versatility, and elegance kicks off its 25th anniversary season with an exclusive seven-show Jacob's Pillow debut in the Ted Shawn Theatre, this weekend, August 12–16, including an added Thursday matinee at 2pm. The dynamic company performs Christopher Wheeldon's fluid, joyous ballet The American, set to the Dvorák quartet of the same name; Sir Frederick Ashton's celebrated, artful trios Monotones I and Monotones II; and a world premiere by resident choreographer and principal dancer Ricardo Graziano, set to music by Philip Glass.

Following yesterday's tragic incident and as messages come in from around the world, Matthew Bourne, Artistic Director of New Adventures issues the following tribute on behalf of the company: "Yesterday we lost our "Swan' and our 'Car Man" - Jonathan Ollivier was one of the most charismatic and powerful dancers of his generation: An intensely masculine presence tempered with tenderness and vulnerability made him the perfect casting for a string of triumphant roles in the New Adventures repertory including 'The Swan", the enigmatic "Speight" in "Play Without Words" and his final role as Luca in "The Car Man" which he was due to dance at last nights final performance at Sadler's Wells.

The Northampton dance community suffered the loss of dancer Jonathan Ollivier, currently starring in Matthew Bourne's THE CAR MAN. Ollivier, 38, was killed when his motorcycle and a Mercedes collided on Sunday morning, 9 August, and pronounced dead under an hour after the accident. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested for dangerous driving.

The Sarasota Ballet, acclaimed for their vitality, versatility, and elegance kicks off its 25th anniversary season with an exclusive seven-show Jacob's Pillow debut in the Ted Shawn Theatre, August 12–16, including an added Thursday matinee at 2pm. The dynamic company performs Christopher Wheeldon's fluid, joyous ballet The American, set to the Dvorák quartet of the same name; Sir Frederick Ashton's celebrated, artful trios Monotones I and Monotones II; and a world premiere by resident choreographer and principal dancer Ricardo Graziano, set to music by Philip Glass.

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA plays in Orange County at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from tonight, August 5, through August 16, 2015.

San Francisco, CA, August 4, 2015 – Artistic Director and choreographer Charles Anderson's award-winning Company C Contemporary Ballet will present the world premiere of his new, evening-length story ballet, Arcane: A Tale of All Hallows' Eve in seven performances October 24-31 at the Cowell Theater in San Francisco. The production features an original story and choreography by Anderson, a commissioned musical score by Mike Krisukas of Zen for Primates, steam punk-inspired set and lighting designs by Patrick Toebe and the costumes by Laura Hazlet and will be performed by a company of 16 dancers, 9 musicians and narrator. Performances will be given Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm; Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 1:00 pm; Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 7:00 pm; Friday, October 30, 2015 at 11:00 am; Friday, October 30, 2015 at 8:00 pm; Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 1:00 pm and Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 7:00 pm. There will be receptions for the audience and artists after the opening night and closing night performances with no-host bar. Tickets are priced $25-$55 and may be purchased at http://www.CityBoxOffice.com/CompanyC. For more information, visit www.companycballet.org .

New Adventures are delighted to announce that a new HD film of Matthew Bourne's internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning dance thriller "THE CAR MAN" will be screened on Sky Arts onMONDAY 3 AUGUST at 8.00PM. 

As previously reported, a 'grittier' big screen version of Lionel Bart's OLIVER! is aiming to start production next year in London, via Cameron Mackintosh and Working Title Films. Now, the Daily Mail writes that the filmmakers are planning a nationwide search for the title role and The Artful Dodger.

TOTTENHAM'S OWN is a celebration of work made by the local community and will include workshops and performance nights for home grown talent in the Tottenham area.

The revival of THE CAR MAN at Sadler's Wells from Tuesday 14 July to Sunday 9 August 2015 marks the first time the production has been staged in eight years.  

New Adventures are delighted to announce that international ballet superstar, Marcelo Gomes will guest star as 'Luca', the title role in the internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning dance thriller 'THE CAR MAN' during the four week summer season at Sadler's Wells from tonight 14 July to 9 August 2015.

Matthew Bourne announced today the third New Adventures Choreographer Award (NACA). Open to emerging choreographers of all ages, NACA follows the success of the 2012 and 2014 awards that helped launch the choreographic careers of James Cousins, Tom Jackson-Greaves and John Ross. In addition to the showcase awards in 2014 the judges made an additional award to Sally Marie to fund a Producer for 12 months and a Commissioning Award to Caroline Finn in partnership with Phoenix Dance Theatre. In June 2015 Finn was announced as the new Artistic Director of National Dance Company Wales.

We came online this morning to an overflowing inbox of thoughts and rememberances that we present belong along with quotes from industry notables on social media. To all those who loved, knew, worked with, or had the pleasure of watching this enormous talent - he will be missed.

Matthew Bourne announced today the third New Adventures Choreographer Award (NACA). Open to emerging choreographers of all ages, NACA follows the success of the 2012 and 2014 awards that helped launch the choreographic careers of James Cousins, Tom Jackson-Greaves and John Ross. In addition to the showcase awards in 2014 the judges made an additional award to Sally Marie to fund a Producer for 12 months and a Commissioning Award to Caroline Finn in partnership with Phoenix Dance Theatre. In June 2015 Finn was announced as the new Artistic Director of National Dance Company Wales.

The Autumn / Winter 2015 Season at Sadler's Wells launches tonight.

Film, glorious film! According to the Daily Mail, a 'grittier' big screen version of Lionel Bart's OLIVER! will likely go into production next year, via Cameron Mackintosh and Working Title Films.

THE MARLOWE Theatre's second community production takes place next month (July) and features more than 240 performers.

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh recently announced that ZIZI STRALLEN will play 'Mary Poppins' and MATT LEE will play 'Bert' in the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of their multi award-winning musical MARY POPPINS, opening at Leicester Curve on 12 October 2015. Check out a first look at the pair in costume below!

The 65th Music Circus season continues with the dynamic musical Big River, Mark Twain's masterwork 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' brought to toe-tapping musical life by the genius behind 'King of the Road,' Roger Miller. Performances are tonight, June 23 through Sunday, June 28.