Swan Lake's success has shaped Bourne's identity

Swan Lake

Matthew Bourne's pioneering interpretation of Swan Lake will celebrate its 15th birthday this year. The now world famous choreographer and director tells Zita Collinson how the iconic production changed his life

WHAT started out as a fleeting idea and a radical one at that, could have easily been dismissed.

Purists baulked at the notion and even contemporary choreographers were unsure when rumours began to circulate about a very different reworking of classic ballet Swan Lake.

Tchaikovsky's score would remain untouched but Matthew Bourne and his company promised instead a dance for our times.

In Bourne's version, the graceful female corps de ballet were replaced with an all-male ensemble. Tutus, feather headdresses and satin ballet shoes were banished in favour of Lez Brotherston's highly stylised costume and design.

That was in 1995 and when it premiered at the Sadler's Wells Theatre, in London, Bourne's adaptation of Swan Lake caused a storm of controversy.

"Nothing like it had happened in the dance world before," says 50-year-old Matthew. "I felt confident in one way that I was doing something that I thought worked well, but I was nervous in other ways because everyone around me thought it was a terrible idea.

"They asked why I would be doing it and questioned whether I was the right person to do it because it was such an iconic tragic piece.

"It was quite scary but you just have to believe in yourself sometimes."

Swan Lake went on to collect 30 international theatre awards, including three Tonys. Now the longest running ballet in the West End and on Broadway, it has enjoyed four successful tours in the UK.

"We could never have guessed that it would be so huge," he continues. "As a ballet fan, I'd watched the classical version that everyone is familiar with many, many times. I used to daydream when I was watching it and wonder – what if all the swans were men?

"It was the desire to tell the story in a different way and to make the music work in a different way for modern audiences. The score is so incredible but there's also a violence and a sadness which I felt often didn't come out in the classical ballet.

"A story started to come into my head without me really thinking I would ever have the chance to realise it."

Matthew grew up in Walthamstow, London, and trained at the Laban Centre For Movement And Dance.

As artistic director of his first company, Adventures In Motion Pictures from 1987 until 2002, he oversaw critically acclaimed productions of Nutcracker!, The Car Man and Highland Fling.

He has also created choreography for several major revivals of classic musicals including Cameron Mackintosh's productions of Oliver! and My Fair Lady.

But it's the legacy of his male swans for which he remains most known and it's the production that has inspired a generation of dancers.

It even featured in Billy Elliot – the film's final scene sees the young Billy all grown up and about to step out on to the stage as a fully-fledged dancer in Bourne's Swan Lake. "A lot of the young guys in the show at the moment say this was the piece that they saw that made them want to dance," he says. "I love that side of it and the inspiration it seems to give to people."

Matthew's new company, New Adventures, is bringing Swan Lake to the Regent Theatre in Hanley this month.

"It's such a popular production," says Matthew. "It reaches beyond normal dance and in its way is a phenomenon.

"There are some really great classical versions out there, but I must admit I saw a Russian version of Swan Lake on TV over Christmas and I found it really boring and undramatic.

"But then every version is completely different. It's like Chekhov or Shakespeare. Everyone puts another spin on it. Still, this piece has gone beyond the usual dance audience.

"For people who have never seen it before, I enjoy seeing their surprised reaction. It still works even after all this time."

Swan Lake is at the Regent Theatre in Hanley from Monday, February 15 until Saturday, February 20. Telephone the box office on 0844 871 7649.