Review-O-Matic: Matthew Bourne's 'Swan Lake'
I *think* I've mentioned from time to time that I have a perchant for dance. I know I mentioned it when I talked about Torchwood 'Captain Jack Harkness' (or rather, see icon!)
Well, this is the production that started my love of dance off.
For info - The Swan is Adam Cooper (who played the older Billy in Billy Elliot), the Prince is Scott Ambler - who is currently seen as the Private Secretary in the current production.
Hands up who noticed that the swans are not delicate ballerinas but strapping half nekkid blokes? I won't lie, they have their attraction;)
This is a very different interpretation of the traditional ballet. The Prince has issues. Big ones. He is lonely and wrestling with some pretty big issues. A possible Oedipal complex is one of them. Not to mention that he may be at very least bisexual. Throw in a trashy girlfriend (who may or may not have ulterior motives) and a distant mother and it's not looking good.
Then there are the dreams about swans.... Tall, beautiful, broadshouldered ones. Freud would have a field day.
It all comes to a head one evening and he goes to the park to finish it all. The note is pinned to the bench, the coat to one side just as 'something' or 'someone' saves his life.
Now - there are a whole raft of theories as to what the Swan is or what it represents. vayshti put forward the theory that the swans are a representation of the love and desire that the Prince craves so much. That or rough trade.
Personally? I think they're wereswans. Don't laugh! If a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf can share a flat/threesome in Bristol then you can have wereswans in the Royal Parks!
Ahem.
Anyway - there is lovely dancing and the start of something utterly *beautiful* between the Prince and the Swan who saves his life. And for a few short hours - the Prince is happy.
As this is based on a Russian ballet - you know that's not going to last very long don't you? I won't spoil the ending - needless to say that I had tears in my eyes by the end - but the 'dark swan' or Stranger as the production refers to him is... hoooboy! Humina, humina!
The entire production is a joy to watch. Bourne knows how to tell a story. Traditional ballet is very much 'a bit of plot, lots of pretty dancing, a bit more story.'. Which is okay, but Bourne doesn't waste a note setting out his story. One of the first waltzes shows the Prince's life, giving the audience an insight into his life. If there is one complaint (and it's a tiny one) then sometimes there is too much going on. You want to look at one side of the stage, but there is plenty going on at the other side of the stage too.
The entire company give it their all. But it's the Swan and the Prince who stand out. Their duets were just heart-squeezingly beautiful. Yes, even the third act 'tango'. The Swan may be the one everyone remembers - but the Prince will break your heart by the end. The Queen is also fabulous. Not a sympathetic role but still a joy to watch and well... who can blame her for her actions in Act Three?
The production finishes at Sadlers Wells this weekend but is on tour around England and Wales from now to Easter (it's in Cardiff the week of mine and John Barrowman's birthdays - mine's 12/3, his is 11/3 - which is the only reason why I remember it - honest!).
It goes without saying that if you are a slasher - you need this in your life. The DVD should be borrowable from your local public Library or the rental service of your choice. Even if you aren't - go/watch it. It's a thing of beauty.
Oh - btw if anyone wants a copy of the soundtrack - yell. I have a copy and 'arrangements' can be made. Also, Cinderella (which hasn't been performed for nearly ten years) looks like it might be the next production for Christmas 2010. One thing is certain. Whatever this company do - I'll go to see it. Wonderful stuff.
Well, this is the production that started my love of dance off.
Click to viewFor info - The Swan is Adam Cooper (who played the older Billy in Billy Elliot), the Prince is Scott Ambler - who is currently seen as the Private Secretary in the current production.
Hands up who noticed that the swans are not delicate ballerinas but strapping half nekkid blokes? I won't lie, they have their attraction;)
This is a very different interpretation of the traditional ballet. The Prince has issues. Big ones. He is lonely and wrestling with some pretty big issues. A possible Oedipal complex is one of them. Not to mention that he may be at very least bisexual. Throw in a trashy girlfriend (who may or may not have ulterior motives) and a distant mother and it's not looking good.
Then there are the dreams about swans.... Tall, beautiful, broadshouldered ones. Freud would have a field day.
It all comes to a head one evening and he goes to the park to finish it all. The note is pinned to the bench, the coat to one side just as 'something' or 'someone' saves his life.
Now - there are a whole raft of theories as to what the Swan is or what it represents. vayshti put forward the theory that the swans are a representation of the love and desire that the Prince craves so much. That or rough trade.
Personally? I think they're wereswans. Don't laugh! If a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf can share a flat/threesome in Bristol then you can have wereswans in the Royal Parks!
Ahem.
Anyway - there is lovely dancing and the start of something utterly *beautiful* between the Prince and the Swan who saves his life. And for a few short hours - the Prince is happy.
As this is based on a Russian ballet - you know that's not going to last very long don't you? I won't spoil the ending - needless to say that I had tears in my eyes by the end - but the 'dark swan' or Stranger as the production refers to him is... hoooboy! Humina, humina!
The entire production is a joy to watch. Bourne knows how to tell a story. Traditional ballet is very much 'a bit of plot, lots of pretty dancing, a bit more story.'. Which is okay, but Bourne doesn't waste a note setting out his story. One of the first waltzes shows the Prince's life, giving the audience an insight into his life. If there is one complaint (and it's a tiny one) then sometimes there is too much going on. You want to look at one side of the stage, but there is plenty going on at the other side of the stage too.
The entire company give it their all. But it's the Swan and the Prince who stand out. Their duets were just heart-squeezingly beautiful. Yes, even the third act 'tango'. The Swan may be the one everyone remembers - but the Prince will break your heart by the end. The Queen is also fabulous. Not a sympathetic role but still a joy to watch and well... who can blame her for her actions in Act Three?
The production finishes at Sadlers Wells this weekend but is on tour around England and Wales from now to Easter (it's in Cardiff the week of mine and John Barrowman's birthdays - mine's 12/3, his is 11/3 - which is the only reason why I remember it - honest!).
It goes without saying that if you are a slasher - you need this in your life. The DVD should be borrowable from your local public Library or the rental service of your choice. Even if you aren't - go/watch it. It's a thing of beauty.
Oh - btw if anyone wants a copy of the soundtrack - yell. I have a copy and 'arrangements' can be made. Also, Cinderella (which hasn't been performed for nearly ten years) looks like it might be the next production for Christmas 2010. One thing is certain. Whatever this company do - I'll go to see it. Wonderful stuff.