Swan Lake Comes to The Bristol Hippodrome
Have you heard about the new version of Swan Lake?
Yours truly had the opportunity to grab some free tickets for this show which was an unforgettable experience.
As a fan of classic ballet, when I heard about a mostly-male cast for this performance, I expected to see more of the same with an extra bit of testosterone. To my surprise, Sir Matthew Bourne’s adaptation of this classic piece delivered a unique mix of outstanding scenography, diverse male (mostly) talent and an intense emotional tale.
It feels like every part of the show has been produced to capture the audience and take it on an adventure ride full of exquisite costumes, funny unspoken moments that we can all connect to and above all, the main protagonist’s feelings of tribulation and despair.
I did struggle a bit to keep my focus on the choreography and rhythm of the dancers (I like the technicalities of ballet) in the second part of the show because it felt that there was too much going on.
Regardless, the set, the lighting and the music enhance the experience leaving you in awe of the dancers’ stamina and the belief that a bold and brave version of a classic piece can make a magnificent show.
Review by G Brockman