Review: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, UK Tour, Glasgow 2025

Name: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
Brand: New Adventures
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Lisa in the theatre
Jun 4
3 min read

Updated: Jun 10

Matthew Bourne's iconic reinvention of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet arrives in Glasgow as part of its 30th anniversary UK tour. Bourne's innovative production of Swan Lake is best known for replacing the traditional female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble.

Director & Choreographer: Sir Matthew Bourne OBE | Composer: Tchaikovsky

Review: Theatre Royal, Glasgow | 03 June 2025

MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE. Jackson Fisch (The Swan) and Company. Photo Johan Persson

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake review ★★★★★

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, like all New Adventures productions, is more than a dance show. With opulent sets and sparkling costumes, a stunning live orchestra and accomplished, humourous, contemporary storytelling - it's a epic feast of a dance-theatre production.

The attention to detail is sublime. Lez Brotherston's imposing sets silently glide into place, and his costumes are exquisitely detailed. Some of the finest I've ever seen on stage. Even the dancer's wigs change to match every costume in this show. And this is a large company; backstage must require army-levels of coordination! But there's no hint of that out front - Swan Lake is presented with immaculate precision and world-class production values.

There is an understated use of video and projections here too, never overdone and so beautifully poignant. Like every other aspect of this show, it's perfectly judged.

MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE. Jackson Fisch (The Swan). Photo Johan Persson

Swan Lake redefined

Matthew Bourne is a genius. And his iconic reinvention of Swan Lake arguably made his name across the world. He's taken the 150 year old classic Russian ballet and transformed it into a modern, funny, accessible dance spectacular.

Conventionally Swan Lake is the story of a Prince who falls in love with a Princess who has been cursed to turn into a swan. Here the troubled Prince (Leonardo McCorkindale) falls in love with a male swan (Jackson Fisch) and indeed the entire flock of swans that the Prince encounters are danced by a male corps de ballet instead of the traditional female ballerinas.

Bourne's swans are muscular but elegant, powerful and sometimes aggressive. Just like real swans! Bourne doesn't skimp on numbers either; there are 15 swans alone in this production and their presence is imposing and impactful.

MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE. Nicole Kabera (The Queen) and Company. Photo Johan Persson

A dance masterpiece

McCorkindale and Fisch dance their lead roles with intense, persuasive conviction. Backed by Tchaikovsky's powerful score, their heartbreaking story of love and loyalty is devastatingly beautiful.

Kurumi Kamayachi is wonderful as 'the girlfriend' bringing bright moments of modern humour to the storyline. But everywhere your eye falls there is a brilliant dancer, dressed in a dazzling costume, backed by a magnificent set. The entire company are breathtaking.

It's not all about the swans, as magnificent as they are. Elsewhere there is a huge company of sensational dancers who play a wide variety of roles from royal staff to nightclub dancers. There's a beautiful ballet within a ballet in Act I with butterflies, moths and trolls taking the stage to entertain the royal family where more of the female cast have their moment in the spotlight. The choreography throughout is divine; intricate, ambitious and always impactful. It's a dance masterpeice.

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake is the gold standard by which all other dance productions are judged. It was daring and revolutionary 30 years ago, and if anything, it's even better now ★★★★★

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake plays at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Tues 3 - Sat 7 June 2025. Buy Tickets from £31 on ATG Tickets (affiliate link)

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