Review: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Mayflower Theatre

It was a controversial production that radically changed one of the world’s most iconic ballet shows.

But now, 30 years on from ruffling those feathers, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is back on stage to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

The award-winning choreographer’s new generation of swans took flight for the revival at Mayflower Theatre last night (11/3/25) and for me it was the perfect entry point for a ballet newcomer, such as myself.

With its cinematic storytelling, emotional intensity, and modern-day relevance, it offers a gripping experience even for those of us unfamiliar with classical dance.

Of course, when Bourne’s interpretation first hit the stage in 1995, it was the swans being male that was ground-breaking.

This historically female role was transformed into a gracefully masculine character that has become one of the most sort after roles for male dancers.

It became the longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway and it has since been performed across the globe, collecting more than thirty international accolades, including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and three Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

And while today, the sight of same-sex couples dancing together is nothing unusual thanks to mainstream television shows like Strictly Come Dancing, when those iconic feathered trousers graced the stage, there were still gasps of excitement, knowing that we were about to witness some simply stunning performances.

James Lovell as the Prince and Jackson Fisch as the Swan and Stranger were both fierce yet elegant, and the flock of swans evoked an animalistic, tribal presence, proving that beauty can be strong and powerful.

The ensemble dances celebrated the very best of traditional ballet, while inviting in contemporary choreography that had touches of humour to allow the audience to enjoy a moment of light frivolity in amongst the high drama. The corgi on wheels added an unexpected touch of comedic charm that had us all chuckling when it graced the stage.

I also loved the clever simplicity of the staging. It exaggerated the drama without taking the focus from the dancing and the iconic lake scene was breath-taking. All of which played out to the iconic backdrop of Tchaikovsky’s music, which never goes out of fashion.

One of the reasons this Swan Lake is so accessible is the way the every day themes of love, loneliness and a desire to belong are brought into a world that we recognise and can relate to.

Bourne’s interpretation was influenced heavily in the 1990’s by the public obsession with the turmoil that was engulfing the British monarchy and that is just as relevant today as it was back then. Even more so when you consider the storyline of an outsider tripping over traditional protocol, trying to lure the lonely prince – a narrative that you could easily find being peddled out across social media channels right now, depending on which rabbit hole you find yourself falling down!

By blending elements of cinema, theatre, and drama, Bourne proves that ballet isn’t just for purists—it’s for everyone. If you’re looking for a way into the world of ballet, I think this is the perfect place to start.