Matthew Bourne

INTERVIEW: Matthew Bourne Talks About Cinderella

Features, Interviews, Touring
Sir Matthew Bourne

Sir Matthew Bourne talks about New Adventures and their re-telling of the classic story Cinderella which is touring the UK. The most striking aspect of this re-telling of the Cinderella story is the setting. Why did you choose to set the world’s most famous fairy tale during the London Blitz in 1940? I first fell in love with Prokofiev’s score through watching Frederick Ashton’s version of the ballet for The Royal Ballet. Although composed as a fairy-tale piece, in the style of the great Tchaikovsky ballets, such as “The Sleeping Beauty”, it has Prokofiev’s particular 20th century musical personality stamped all over it. True, it has Grand Waltzes, Fairy variations, mazurka’s and “national” dances, in the manner of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballet works, but lurking beneath the fairy-tale magic, there beats a darker heart with real emotions and dramatic longing. These are the features of Prokofiev’s music that keep you … Read more

Casting announced for UK Tour of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella

News, Touring

New Adventures have today announced casting for the upcoming UK tour of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella which opens at Sadler’s Wells on 9 December 2017. Fresh from their triumph playing Victoria Page in “The Red Shoes”, the role of ‘Cinderella’ will be performed by Cordelia Braithwaite and Ashley Shaw. Cinderella’s heroic Pilot, ‘Harry’, will be performed by Will Bozier, Andrew Monaghan and Dominic North. ‘The Angel’ (Cinderella’s ‘Fairy GodFather’) will be danced by Paris Fitzpatrick and Liam Mower. ‘Sybil’, Cinderella’s Step-Mother, is performed by Madelaine Brennan, Michela Meazza (London only) and Anjali Mehra. ‘Robert’, Cinderella’s Father is performed by Alan Vincent and Dan Wright. Cinderella’s Step Brothers and Sisters and the people of 1940’s London complete the cast: Steph Billers; João Carolino; Reece Causton; Jackson Fisch; Glenn Graham; Sophia Hurdley; Jack Jones; Nicole Kabera; Kate Lyons; Jamie McDonald; Stephen Murray (Former Central School of Ballet/New Adventures Student Associate), Danny Reubens; Katie … Read more

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella UK Tour and West End

Touring, West End
Matthew Bourne's Cinderella West End and UK Tour

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures returns in 2018 with Cinderella. Following the success of the company’s 2017 sell-out tour of The Red Shoes, Cinderella will form part of the company’s 30th Anniversary celebrations. Set in London during the Second World War, Matthew Bourne’s interpretation of the classic fairy tale, has, at its heart, a true war-time romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz. Cinderella features Lez Brotherston’s sumptuous Olivier Award-winning costumes and sets and lighting by Olivier Award-winning Neil Austin. The production will be performed in surround sound designed by Paul Groothius featuring a specially commissioned recording of Prokofiev’s score played by a 60 piece orchestra. MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA UK TOUR 8 December 2017- 27 January 2018 Sadler’s Wells London 30 January 2018 – … Read more

The Red Shoes Extends UK Tour

Dance, News, Touring
New Adventures The Red Shoes UK Tour

New Adventures have announced that due to popular demand new dates have been added to the World Premiere tour of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes. The Red Shoes will now also play the Sheffield Lyceum, King’s Theatre Glasgow, Wycombe Swan, and Liverpool Empire. Due to unprecedented popularity, the tour will also return to The Lowry and Birmingham Hippodrome. Opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in November 2016, the World Premiere tour of The Red Shoes is now five weeks into a sold out eight week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells where it has received rave reviews.The production is also sold out in Woking and Birmingham with limited availability at venues thoughout February – Milton Keynes and Norwich. For further information on the tour and tour dates visit The Red Shoes UK Tour Page

Three days of Drama and Literature at Hampstead Theatre


Events, News, Off West End
Hampstead Theatre

Following last year’s success, Hampstead Theatre has confirmed that its second annual festival will take place on 18 – 20 March 2016. The Festival boasts over 30 unique events including workshops and panel discussions featuring Sir David Hare, Sir Matthew Bourne, Howard Brenton, Darcey Bussell, Tim Pigott-Smith, Deborah Moggach, Meera Syal and Kate Mosse. Hampstead Theatre’s artistic director Edward Hall and producer Issy van Randwyck have invited a wide variety of artists to share their stories and work processes. Hall said: “Hampstead Theatre is thrilled to be bringing back The Festival after its incredible success in 2015. “We hope this year’s programme will give attendees an opportunity to meet some of the most original thinkers in British culture today and discover new insights into the wonderful worlds these people work in.” The first Hampstead Theatre Festival was hosted in March 2015 and attracted a 2,500 audience footfall in just one … Read more

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty UK Tour 2016

Dance, Touring
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty Uk Tour

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty is a gothic tale for all ages; the traditional tale of good vs. evil and rebirth is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder. Bourne’s new scenario introduced several characters not seen in Petipa’s famous Ballet or Grimm’s fairy tale. This imaginary kingdom is ruled over by King Benedict and Queen Eleanor. Princess Aurora’s romantic interest is not a Prince, but the royal gamekeeper, Leo. Representing the central forces of good and evil are Count Lilac (“the King of the Fairies”) and the Dark Fairy Carabosse. Bourne has also created the character of Caradoc, the sinister but charming son of Carabosse. Princess Aurora’s Fairy Godparents are characterised by their names – Ardor, Hibernia, Autumnus, Feral and Tantrum. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty premiered in 2012, and was the fastest selling production in the company’s history. Sleeping Beauty was … Read more