Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake – Festival Theatre

Having previously been swept away by Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet and the haunting brilliance of Edward Scissorhands, I knew to expect something bold, something unexpected. But nothing quite prepares you for Swan Lake – The Next Generation. This isn’t just another reinterpretation of a classic – it’s the jewel in Bourne’s already glittering crown.

Now in its 30th anniversary revival, Bourne’s audacious take on Swan Lake has lost none of its bite. If anything, this latest incarnation feels sharper, more intimate and emotionally resonant than ever. From the moment the curtain lifted at the Festival Theatre, there was an electricity in the air – the kind that only comes when something truly iconic is about to unfold.

For those unfamiliar, Bourne’s Swan Lake made waves in 1995 for daring to replace the traditional female corps-de-ballet with a menacing all-male ensemble. But this wasn’t change for novelty’s sake. These swans are feral, powerful, and utterly hypnotic. The effect is still transfixing – wild, visceral, and emotionally raw. They are not the elegant, ethereal creatures of the classical canon; they are storm clouds with sinew and teeth.

This version, aptly titled The Next Generation, brings with it not only a new cast but a refined spirit. Leonardo McCorkindale’s Prince is a revelation – a characterisation that feels less broken, more hopeful, his wide-eyed longing making the emotional journey all the more tragic. Opposite him, Rory Macleod as the Swan/Stranger is spellbinding. His Swan is tender and fierce in equal measure, while his Stranger prowls with magnetic insolence – the very embodiment of temptation and danger.

Katrina Lyndon returns as the icy, imperious Queen – still a masterclass in detached authority – while Bryony Wood’s Girlfriend delivers brilliant comedic timing that belies real emotional depth. It’s testament to Bourne’s genius that even the smaller characters feel three-dimensional. Every glance, every gesture, has weight.

The choreography itself remains a masterclass in narrative movement. Bourne doesn’t just fill the stage – he sculpts it. Duets shimmer with longing and tenderness, while ensemble scenes (particularly the royal ball) explode with drama and intrigue. The dark humour – Bourne’s signature – is alive and well, from royal corgis to ballet-in-a-ballet parodies that had the audience snorting.

And then there’s that final act. The swans emerging like a fever dream from the Prince’s bed – still nightmare fuel, still breathtaking. The psychological weight of the piece builds relentlessly, and the ending lands with gut-punch precision.

Bourne has always been a storyteller first and foremost. His works aren’t just seen – they’re felt. And Swan Lake – The Next Generation is no exception. It’s a haunting exploration of repression, desire, identity and loss, wrapped in feathers and myth, but grounded in very real human emotion.

This production proves once again that Bourne’s Swan Lake isn’t just a classic reimagined – it is the classic now. Visually stunning, emotionally devastating and wholly unforgettable, it’s a production that lingers long after the curtain falls. If you’ve never seen it, now is the time. And if you have – see it again. Because this swan still soars.

Reviewer: Nazaret Ranea

Reviewed: 8th April 2025

North West End UK Rating: