Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake at Mayflower Southampton Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Jan Dixon

I had the great pleasure of reviewing Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake: The Next Generation at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on the opening night of Tuesday 11th March 2025. This season celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the production of Swan Lake as you have never experienced before. It was absolutely superb, innovative, thought-provoking and ground breaking in this ballet interpretation of Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

The Director and Choreographer Matthew Bourne created his vision of Swan Lake, initially controversial in the depiction of an all-male cast of swans and challenging the perceptions of the status quo. It was first staged in Sadler’s Wells in 1995 and has gone on from strength to strength, stunning crowds with this new phenomenon. Now, having achieved the accolade of the longest running full-length ballet of all time and winning over 40 international awards, it is a mainstay of must-see ballet performances.

Many congratulations to the expertise of the Set and Costume Designer, Lez Brotherson, Lighting Designer Paule Constable; Sound Engineer Ken Hampton; Video and Projection Designer Duncan McLean; Associate Artistic Director Etta Murfitt; Resident Artistic Associate Neil Westmoreland and Rehearsal Associate Dominic North. Every element they produced was a professional and accomplished part, enhancing the ballet performance by setting the scenery, lighting and wonderful costume designs throughout.

The performance was set in the relatively modern world. It focused on the portrayal of a royal family who are beset with the dilemmas of formal court protocol, seedy entertainment and the invasive paparazzi. Disturbing this need for public duty are a flock of male swans who encroach on the dreams of the Prince, who wishes to escape the tedium of his formal life and win the affection of his cold and distant mother, the Queen. It is a detailed storyline, which is best kept under wraps for the new audience to wonder at and appreciate. The element of surprise is worth waiting for – you will thoroughly enjoy what is to come.
The male swan ballet dancers gave a brilliant depiction of the sinuous, fluid movements of swans; mimicking dipping heads, hissing, and utilising thunderous feet to demonstrate power. The juxtaposition of beauty and elegance suddenly transforming into quick aggression and menacing personas was so realistic that one could believe the dancers had taken on their personality.

The part of the lead male swan, who is also the ‘Stranger’ was performed by Jackson Finch; the Prince by James Lovell; the Queen by Nicole Kabera; the girlfriend by Bryony Wood and the Private Secretary by Benjamin Barlow Bazeley. There was a cast of fourteen male swans and a full ensemble. Everyone was an intrinsic part of the performance; giving their all to ensure every nuance was highlighted in the storyline. Every night of the performance there is a list of cast members available for the audience to view.
There was a whole range of emotions depicted, including some comedic elements. These mostly related to the Prince’s ‘unsuitable’ girlfriend and her brazenness, laughing too loudly, setting a mobile phone off, dropping her purse and flirting outrageously. Do notice the toy corgi coming onto stage in a nod to British royalty!

This is very much worth a 5 star rating and I would urge you to take advantage of the opportunity of seeing this wonderful, mesmerising performance of a classic ballet story turned completely into an interpretation like no other. Put away your pre-conceived ideas about what you expected to see and give yourself up to the pure enjoyment and sensory overload of this Swan Lake!

The show will be performed on Wednesday 12th March 2025 at 7.30 pm; Thursday 13th March 2025 at 2.00pm and 7.30pm; Friday 14th March 2025 at 7.30pm and Saturday 15th March 2025 at 2.00pm and 7.30 pm. Running time is 2hrs 30 mins, including one interval.

Rating: 5/5

Ticket Prices from £26.50 to £54.50

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.mayflower.org.uk or call the box office on 02380 711811.

Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 1GE