An Interview with Sir Matthew Bourne

Our first guest in Why Dance Matters’ new monthly schedule is Sir Matthew Bourne, speaking as his iconic Swan Lake returns to the stage.

Almost 30 years ago, its premiere caused a sensation: the all-male pack of swans – bare-chested, shaggy-legged, feral and fascinating – created one of the great stage images of recent decades. 30 years on, Matthew’s company New Adventures tours the world with brilliantly original shows, and his new production of the musical Oliver! is transferring to London’s West End. In 2016 Matthew received the RAD’s Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, so it’s a huge pleasure to welcome him to Why Dance Matters.

Matthew Bourne is firmly established as the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer and director. He is the creator of the world’s longest running ballet production, a record-breaking nine time Olivier Award winner, and the only British director to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical. His company New Adventures performs Matthew’s signature works, including Nutcracker!, Swan Lake, The Car Man, Edward Scissorhands and Romeo and Juliet. He is also an award-winning West End and Broadway choreographer.

He has been recognised by over 50 international awards, and was knighted in 2016; in the same year he was awarded the RAD’s Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award in recognition of his outstanding services to dance.

New Adventures’ production of Swan Lake https://www.new-adventures.net/swan-lake#overview

Swan Lake at Sadler’s Wells https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/new-adventures-matthew-bournes-swan-lake-the-next-generation/

Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre https://oliverthemusical.com/

The QEII Award https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/platinum-jubilee/whats-it-like-to-receive-the-qeii-award/

source