Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

When: Thursday 9^th January 2014

Where: Saddlers Wells

Why: FEATHERY MEN

All I can say is that we got into serious trouble trying to work out the story during this actual performance. Not trouble like ‘told off by ushers’ trouble, but mental trouble due to stupidity and over-detailed Wikipedia pages. I vaguely knew it was about people turning into swans and that this was an all-male version (FYI just the swans are all-male – there are in fact females in the rest of the cast, a point which caused us GREAT confusion in the opening scenes. “Are they… men dressed as women?”). My knowledge of the plot was essentially based on what Julie Walters tells Billy Elliott as they go over the river on the car ferry. I genuinely am not much better off now regarding the plot, but bloody hell it’s a great show. And much more humorous than expected – a real treat and proper festive. The power of the swans is undoubtedly shown off fantastically well by the male dancers, and their incredible skill and storytelling ability was perfection. I would go every year. 

Brixpig x