(4 / 5)

We’ve been thinking a lot in Wales about the plight of musicians and artists. Yet how are the dancers doing? I guess we are all cooked really, the feeling of hopelessness about funding and opportunities linger on. Let’s having something to raise the spirits…

In 1995, director and choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne hit the ballet jackpot in his reimagining of the definitive ballet. Maybe back 30 years ago, this would been highly radical, messing with the formula of a piece so cherished by dance audiences. Still, the connective tissue of the original Swan Lake is evident and lives, thanks to what holds up as a sparkling feat. The new additions of queer and gender bending roles are what stand out in what has often (incorrectly) been dubbed the “all male Swan Lake”.

The story is practically the same, it’s just the dressing of a newer setting that could be 1950s or today, or another universe. The prince, unhappy with his life then falls for a woman, The Girlfriend, though the snobbery of The Queen and the court would dominate. The prince finds himself at a lake, only to have an awakening in many ways, as The Swan and his posey waft into his life. It all end in tears, as the beats of the original story are mirrored and gentle tweaked.

This really does prove to be a fun and absorbing evening. Bourne’s foundation of classical ballet is always there waiting. Yet, the more contemporary dance components are what makes it so compelling, the fluidity and outbursts from this varied cast. There are quirky jabs and physical majesty in these demanding roles. There are extremities, moments of period dances from decades past and other flurries seeing odder sights. The swan troupe who in their iconic down feather tights and ink beak makeup adorned on their forehead, get some of the finest moments of the show. They are the poster children and have been for years. They even hiss, which was not expected.

The gala balls and the mock Royal Ballet visit also sparkle with glamour, dippy humour and a surprising amount of sexuality. When The Swan arrives at one of these dos as The Stranger (or the Black Swan in the original), I was taken with just how steamy it got. Some really fun and electric moves in the Spanish and other dances, as The Prince, loses his sanity over The Swan making multiple passes at his mother. Lez Brotherston in the set and costumes have famous details and practical ease. The sets are clever in looking grander and heavier than they are, the costumes range from nightclub garters to royal gowns, all very fetching.

These are dancers on their ‘A’ game. The Swan is Jackson Fisch, in a compelling and a sensual depiction of the fatal avian folly. This might be the finest dance performance I’ve seen for a while. Stephan Murray is not far behind as The Prince, who leads the show throughout. Innocence, intrigue, discovery and mania are his components, each played with nuance and the energy given off Murray is palpable.  The Queen is Nicole Kabera gets some divaesque steps and the commanding presence to, proving the royal line has talents galore.

The Girlfriend from Katrina Lyndon is the comic relief, the foil to latter triggering this tragedy. Her stint in the Royal Ballet scene riffed on excitable audience goers, eating, passionately reading the programme and turning off their ringing phones. Also highly nimble, her time on stage was often eye catching and delightful.  James Lovell looks like Tchaikovsky as The Private Secretary, this is a character who judges others mostly The Prince and Girlfriend. Much more the straight man in the court, this fells secondary though still part of the broth.  

The one gripe, though I’ve said it before is the canned orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s soul lived in his compositions and here is no different. All the recognisable tunes and lesser-known passages feature, I even wondered if the order was messed around the for new take. I recall not seeing any live musicians at Bourne’s Cinderella too. The tourabilty of the show might be for reason like this, though as prices rise for theatre goers and musicians continue to fight for their jobs, I think it would add an extra layer of joy and spectacle.

Whilst all swans in this realm are owned by the King, this particular one very much belongs to Bourne.