Matthew Bourne's SWAN LAKE Kicks-off UK Tour After Season at Sadler's Wells

By: Feb. 01, 2010
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Premiering at Sadler's Wells in 1995, Matthew Bourne's triumphant modern re-interpretation of SWAN LAKE turned tradition upside down, taking the dance world by storm. Following the huge success at Sadler's Wells over Christmas and the New Year, the multi award-winning hit is now on a national UK tour.

Matthew Bourne said: "I am delighted to be taking the production out on the road with this amazing new cast. In my view, the best we have ever had"

Casting for the 2009 revival includes a mix of established New Adventures performers and newcomers. Richard Winsor and Jonathan Ollivier are both making their debuts in the coveted role of The Swan.

Richard Winsor is one of New Adventures leading performers having created the title roles in both "Edward Scissorhands" (2005) and "Dorian Gray" (2008). He was also in the original cast of Bourne's "Play Without Words" (2002) and was seen as Angelo in "The Car Man" and the title role in "Nutcracker!" This Summer he is starring in his first major film, "Street Dance 3D" , the first British movie to be shot in 3D, which will be released in May.

Jonathan Ollivier is making his debut with New Adventures. After graduating from The Rambert School in 1996, he joined The Cape Town City Ballet Company. He became a principle before returning to England in 1999 to join Northern Ballet Theatre. Here he created many leading roles, most notably Stanley Kowalski in Didy Veldman's contemporary ballet of "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Heathcliffe in David Nixon's "Wuthering Heights". Ollivier joined the Alberta Ballet Company as a Principle dancer in 2007 and returned to the UK to pursue a freelance career in 2009.

The pivotal role of The Prince will be performed by two dancers with a long history with Matthew Bourne, Dominic North and Sam Archer.

Dominic North has one of the longest continuous involvements with SWAN LAKE having made his professional debut with New Adventures in the 10th Anniversary production in 2004. Dominic has performed the role of The Prince on several occasions as the "cover" but now takes on the role full time. He has performed four other New Adventures productions; "The Car Man", "Nutcracker!", "Dorian Gray" and made his debut in his first Principle role in the title role of "Edward Scissorhands" at The Sydney Opera House in 2008. He was later nominated for this role as "Best Male Dancer" at The National Critics Circle Dance Awards. Last year he created the leading role in Aletta Collins' "The Red Balloon" at The Royal Opera House.

Sam Archer has a long history with Matthew Bourne having been part of Fagin's Gang in the original London Palladium Revival of "Oliver!" in 1995. Sam joined the company to dance in "The Car Man" in 2002. He went on to play roles in "Play Without Words" and "Nutcracker!" and co-created the title role in "Edward Scissorhands" in 2005. He has since toured in Bourne's "Mary Poppins", covering and playing the leading role of Bert. Last Summer he was seen in John Doyle's production of "Oklahoma" at The Chichester Festival.

Returning to the role of The Queen will be American dancer, Nina Goldman, who has performed in various roles within the production, including The Girlfriend, since becoming one of the original Broadway cast in 1998. Nina has also performed in "The Car Man" and had a great success last year as Joyce Monroe in "Edward Scissorhands". Sharing the role for the 2009 revival is former Principle dancer with The Cullberg Ballet and Northern Ballet Theatre, Charlotte Broom, who is making her New Adventures debut.

Scott Ambler, who created the role of The Prince in 1995 and Steve Kirkham, an original "Cygnet", will be sharing the role of The Private Secretary and acting as Resident Directors on the 2009/10 tour. Whilst leading New Adventures dancers Madelaine Brennan (Edward Scissorhandsand, Play Without Words) and Kerry Biggin (Kim in "Edward Scissorhands", Clara in "Nutcracker!", Rita in "The Car Man", The Sylph in "Highland Fling") will both be making their debuts as The Girlfriend.

Also featured in the cast are Ashley Bain, Tim Bartlett, Ben Bunce, Arielle Campbell, Tom Clark, Travis Clausen-Knight, Daniel Collins, Gavin Eden, Pia Driver, Ross Fountain, Philip Jack Gardner, Scott Jennings, Jack Jones, Simon Karaiskos, Daisy May Kemp, Franklyn Lee, Katy Lowenhoff, Luke Murphy, Gemma Payne, Gavin Persand, Sam Plant, Danny Reubens, Anwar Russell, Ashley Shaw, Paul Smethurst, Christopher Trenfield, Vince Virr, Chloe Wilkinson and Shelby Williams.



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