Swan Lake

Review of Swan Lake, Sadler’s Wells, December 2024 

Seventeen people enjoyed the fabulous Matthew Bourne version of the classic ballet Swan Lake. Anticipation filled the entrance hall of the iconic building, as we gathered and absorbed the tensions. Our seats were good, with uninterrupted views of the enormous stage. The staging, lights and music all contributed to the overall effect of engaging the audience in the story. The set was simple and with minor adjustments the scenes changed quickly and effectively. The female costumes were stunning and enhanced the images, with the Swans' minimalist designs highlighting the power and beauty of the male dancers. It was extraordinary to have the narrative so clear, without a word being spoken. Altogether the performance was amazing, and everybody enjoyed the spectacle. Our party expressed their enjoyment with most superlatives... amazing, stunning, out of this world, fabulous, those bodies... but mostly, WOW! WOW! WOW! I'm sure we'll be booking more ballet shows, as the bar has been raised pretty high. 

Julie Grimsey, Theatre Group co-ordinator