Since its premiere in 1877, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake has been a staple of dance companies all over the world. Its stunning choreography, lush score, and compelling tale of metamorphosis attracts audiences year after year. And like Shakespeare's plays, each production reinvents the classic tale in myriad ways: from more classic takes produced by the Bolshoi Ballet in the early to mid-20th century, to Matthew Bourne's modern interpretation featuring two male swans, to Natalie Portman's dark turn in the movie a?oeBlack Swan.a??
Over two days in early December 2019, middle and high school students at Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise participated in New Adventures' In Our Shoes program in collaboration with Center Theatre Group.
The first performance of Matthew Bourne's contemporary Swan Lake was performed at the Sadler's Wells Theater, London, in 1995. It has endured twenty-five years with the staying power of a new classic -- for very good reason. Bourne has reinvented the swans from maidens who have been turned into beautiful swans by an evil sorcerer, to male swans, summoned by the dreams and desires of a pampered, regimented prince, no sorcerer in sight. Much has been made of this and the homoerotic overtones that appear at times; however, there is much more to it than that as a piece of theater. It is a psychological drama which explores, among other things, celebrity and Royalty in today's world.
Theatres Trust has launched a new national photography competition looking to find images that showcase the best theatre buildings across the UK. The winning images will then be on display at an exhibition held in the National Theatre's Lyttelton Lounge.
Sir Matthew Bourne's 'Swan Lake' has a reputation as a beloved, fascinating, and powerful ballet. The latest production certainly justifies this reputation.
Tickets are on public sale from Monday 10 February 2020 for new shows announced at Sadler's Wells across 2020, featuring five world premieres, 10 UK premieres, and six Sadler's Wells Productions and co-productions, as well as a host of new creative partnerships involving artists from all over the world.
The renowned graduate performing company Ballet Central will commence its annual tour at Stratford Circus in London, on Thursday 26th March 2020. Under the artistic direction of Christopher Marney, Ballet Central's diverse range of dance and theatre will perform in 13 venues across England over a five month period (full tour schedule at the end of the release) concluding in London on 18th July.
New Adventures has announced the 2020 tour dates for Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! with extensive national and international tour dates for 2021 to be announced shortly.
According to The Stage, director Atri Banerjee and actor Lauren O'Leary will host The Stage Awards 2020. Both Banerjee and O'Leary were winners at The Stage Debut Awards 2019.
San Francisco Ballet has announced Cathy Marston's next creation for the Company: Mrs. Robinson, inspired by the 1960s American novella and film The Graduate and re-told from the perspective of Mrs. Robinson, one of America's most notorious seductresses. Mrs. Robinson is Marston's second work for the Company; her ballet Snowblind, based on Edith Wharton's novella Edith Frome, premiered to critical acclaim at the Company's 2018 Unbound: A Festival of New Works, with repeat performances in the 2019 Repertory Season and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. Mrs. Robinson will premiere March 24, 2020 at the War Memorial Opera House on Program 05: Ballet Accelerator, which also includes Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson's 7 For Eight and David Dawson's Anima Animus. Performances will run through April 4, 2020.
The Joffrey Ballet President and CEO Greg Cameron and Board Chair Anne Kaplan are exceptionally proud to announce that Ashley Wheater, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Wheater's designation, among those announced today on The Queen's New Year Honours 2020 list, has been recognized for his exceptional service to the U.K. in the field of performing arts.
The much lauded, deservedly awarded MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE returns to thunderous ovations at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles a third time (second time in 2006) since its auspicious L.A. debut in 1997. What was considered ground-breaking and quite shocking to ballet traditionalists when Matthew Bourne originally switched out the delicate female corps of swans for a forceful, menacing flock of male swans has now remained as avant-garde and striking in its unique interpretation. Sharing the titular role of The Swan/The Stranger is Max Westwell in his debut role with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures' international touring company. I had the marvelous opportunity to pose a few queries to this imposing dancer.
It's fitting that Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes returns to London to finish up another year of reviewing dance. By far Bourne's most accomplished, creative and complete work, it's a theatrical joy from start to finish that is performed with confidence by a cast who have now had time to perfect it since the 2016 premiere.
The Tides have changed, not so much from Global Warning, but through Matthew Bourne's latest, revised version of his creation 'Swan Lake.'
Thrilling, audacious, witty and emotive, this 'Swan Lake' is perhaps still best known for switching the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm. Collecting over 30 international accolades including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tony Awards on Broadway, Matthew Bourne's powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece is a passionate and contemporary 'Swan Lake' for our times.
The Metropolitan Opera today announces two cast changes for its forthcoming production of Verdi's La Traviata, opening January 10, 2020. Piero Pretti sings the role of Alfredo Germont at the performances on February 26, 29, March 5, 9, 13, and 19, 2020, replacing Vittorio Grigolo. Additionally, New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns joins the cast as the female solo dancer for the performances on January 10, 14, 18, 23, 26, February 3, March 5, 9, and 13, 2020.
New Adventures has announced that Adam Cooper and Ashley Shaw will star in the return of Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of 'THE RED SHOES'. a seven-week Christmas season at Sadler's Wells, London, from Tuesday 3 December to Sunday 19 January 2020.
The production team that ensured the show could go on after part of a West End theatre ceiling collapsed and the revival of much-loved pop magazine Smash Hits are among the nominees for The Stage Awards 2020, in association with Integro Insurance Brokers.
Following last season's production of Cinderella, celebrated British choreographer Matthew Bourne and his company, New Adventures, returns with Bourne's iconic version of Swan Lake in its D.C. premiere, January 21-26.
