Swan Lake's Scouse debut a huge success

Last night’s opening show in Liverpool ended in a standing ovation for the acclaimed dancers of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.
 
His interpretation of this beloved classic is still wowing crowds 15 years after it started, and having picked up over 30 international awards, it has been dubbed a modern-day classic.

The debut night at Liverpool's Empire Theatre was no different, with Director Matthew Bourne attending the evening. In his speech before show, Bourne said: “We are very proud to be here, we really are.”

Replacing the traditionally female swans with a flock of male swans, this version of the ballet has been given a contemporary twist for a new audience.

The performance sees the characters attend the ballet; get chased by the press and end up in a nightclub. Praised for its humour and animalistic, menacing swans, the opening performance of this five-night run marked the start of Liverpool’s year-long dance festival, LEAP.
 
The story sees a young prince, who is controlled by his mother and royal requirements, in search of love. Trapped by his obligations and in need of a true love, the Prince, played by Sam Archer, becomes distressed and suicidal. Archer dances the role superbly, and is able to portray the Prince's absolute desperation through movement alone.

Most of the humour is brought through the Prince’s initial love interest, a young excitable girl, played by Madelaine Brennan. One of the best scenes sees the Prince, his love interest, the Queen and her escort attend the ballet.

Against an amazing backdrop, the young girl makes a fool out of herself by laughing at the dancers, answering her mobile and dropping her bag on stage.

However, it is the Swans who steal the show, as they enchant the young Prince with their feathered thighs and naked chests. The male swans are a powerful element to the ballet. With movements which mirror real swans, the flock is mesmerising and captivating to both the audience and the Prince.
 
It is during this encounter that the Prince falls for the Swan, played by Richard Winsor, whose dancing moves from graceful and elegant to strong and commanding in the show's winning performance.

The climax of the ballet is reached in a dramatic fashion as the Prince and the Swan are torn apart by the menacing flock, in a shocking and unexpectedly vicious ending.

With the pair’s infatuation for each other shown in such a beautiful manner, you forget that this is a love between swans, and find yourself wrapped up in this enchanting story.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is a fantastic performance, and will entertain both ballet novices and experts at the Empire until Saturday night.