Cordelia Braithwaite Archives - North West End UK

Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man – Sheffield Lyceum

22Jul

By Natalia PrucnalNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man – Sheffield Lyceum

Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Car Man’ at the Sheffield Lyceum is utterly stupendous. Despite the show not having been on tour in the UK for over 10 years, it has certainly returned with fervour. The performance had already begun before the audience had even filled the seats, before the lights even went down - with the dancers playfully flirting with one another, hanging signs up and fixing cars. With a show so full of action, passion, deception and desire, the immersive prelude was just a glimpse into what was to come. The creative direction and choreography of Matthew Bourne was deeply moving. It elegantly wove classical ballet with contemporary and modern dance. I particularly enjoyed the Act 1 finale, which featured line dancing and a hoedown during a party, contrasting deliciously with the...

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes – Liverpool Empire

A dancer enters the stage wearing vibrant red ballet shoes, the lighting renders her faceless, the music boldly proclaims that there is drama ahead… I am already hooked. A timeless tale of love, passion and conflict perfectly plays out from start to finish. A ensemble dancer is discovered by a ballet impresario, but are his obsession and her desires compatible? This tour of The Red Shoes celebrates the tenth anniversary of its original production and is a celebration of art and performance. The beautiful score originally composed by Bernard Herrmann is beautifully orchestrated for this company by Terry Davies. The visual identity of the piece is beyond description, and, quite simply, begs to be seen. Lez Brotherston’s set, with its grand moving proscenium arch and clever use of material...

Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker – Birmingham Hippodrome

It may be February, but it is never too late to catch this superb production of The Nutcracker. First of all, take everything you know about The Nutcracker, screw it up and throw it out of the window. This ballet is like no other version you have seen before. Matthew Bourne has taken the family favourite (and the version he first created 30 years ago) and given it a very colourful make over. The basic story of Clara and her toy is there, but it opens in an orphanage rather than a lavish house. She is still transported away to a fantasy world of ice and then sweets, but the national dances have been replaced by ones representing confectionery. Unlike the usual version there is a story being told throughout, the second half has more of a purpose than just a showcase for different style...