Inspired by Joseph Losey's film of Robin Maugham's The Servant, Play Without Words is the latest masterpiece from the critically acclaimed choreographer Matthew Bourne. A vibrant, wicked satire of class conflict and sexual desire set in swinging sixties London - told exclusively through movement and music. Speaking to BBC Norfolk, Bourne said: "It's been great at the National, but we open the UK tour at the Norwich Theatre Royal. "The show feels very hip for the young audience but as it's set in 1965, it has the big nostalgia value for many people in the audience as it's a period that many remember quite affectionately. It's one of those time that people look back on fondly I think. 
Belinda Lee Chapman and Richard Winsor |
"It's quite a sexy show I have to say. It's about relationships across classes and stuff which was a taboo subject at the time. "I think an audience always responds to that sort of thing and it's been good to see the critics getting a bit hot under the collar." [laughs] Promised as a lavish treat on the eyes with stylish choreography and outrageous flirting, Play Without Words follows Bourne's phenomenal success of Swan Lake, The Car Man and Nutcracker! - all of which have enthralled Norwich audiences in the last few years. Matthew Bourne and designer Lez Brotherston have now taken the art of non-verbal storytelling to new heights with this production. Terry Davies' original, atmospheric jazz score conjures up an image of swinging sixties cool and the company boasts some of the finest dancers in the country. "The cast are brilliant," enthused Bourne whilst speaking to BBC Norfolk. 
Scene from Play Without Words |
"I've worked with dancers who have discovered their acting abilities and have taken straight acting parts as a result. But I need trained dancers for a piece like this. "It would be unthinkable to expect a group of actors to act to count. It's just not the way they think. "I work with trained dancers because they are confident about hitting this expression and that look on the count of two, and going to another on the count of four - it doesn't throw them. "In Play Without Words they are counting in their heads all the time and sections of this music are difficult. You have to know what you are doing. There's a point in the piece where the music is full of little gaps and during those gaps you have to keep counting and remembering your moves while looking natural. It's a real skill." Play Without Words opens at the Norwich Theatre Royal on Tuesday 16 March, 2004.
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