This is our review of Matthew Bourne‘s Swan Lake at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre!
Synopsis Of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
We meet the Prince, who by all accounts enjoys a very rich, fulfilling lifestyle. He is a handsome, peachy, positive guy, at least in the beginning. Furthermore, the Queen loves him and takes care of him as best she can. However, a romance with a new Girlfriend does not provide the Prince with the happiness he desires. And when he learns that she receives money to woo him, the mental anguish is palpable.
In the meantime, however, the Prince begins to have thoughts about swans. And amidst his unhappiness, the Swans act as a source of comfort to him. Not least the main Swan, who cherishes and coddles the Prince. This is in sharp contrast to the Prince’s real-life situation, which includes further manipulation from the Private Secretary. And we, the audience, watch on to see if the Prince can recover, or if the Swans will remove him from his ordeal.
Analysis Of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
This is a high-end ballet production that packs so much emotion into its 150-minute running time. Indeed, the audience can sense the Prince’s changing mood and can feel his pain as his life slowly unravels. And it’s a scene of heartbreak as the Prince loses any lingering hope via the Swan’s eventual fate. Stephen Murray is utterly believable and sympathetic as the Prince, even at times when his decision-making is suspect.
Elsewhere, the background sets throughout this show are superb, perfectly bringing to life the Queen’s castle and other locations. I appreciated the use of lighting to emphasise the Prince’s emotional state from bright lights to total darkness. Of course, the ballet dance routines are immaculately performed, almost effortlessly; the pre-interval performance by the swans steals the show. But there are also lighter moments, such as the Corgi puppet and a cameo for the Girlfriend’s iPhone.
Summary Of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
In many ways, this is the go-to for anyone wishing to see Swan Lake for the very first time. Matthew Bourne’s incarnation combines the original plot with modern production elements and some bold storytelling devices. And after 30 years, it is still a must-see for all ballet fans. Make sure to head to the Liverpool Empire for a terrific night of ballet!
