Matthew Bourne Remembers... Swan Lake

Highly acclaimed choreographer and director Sir Matthew Bourne discusses his groundbreaking reinterpretation of Swan Lake, the 1995 production that shocked the ballet world and revolutionised modern ballet by replacing the traditional female swans with a male ensemble.

Thirty years and over thirty international accolades on, Bourne reflects on the challenges of reimagining a classic and the reaction at the time. He tells us about the creative journey behind the show’s enduring success, and its cultural impact over the past three decades.

Bourne also discusses his long-standing relationship with Sadler’s Wells – the theatre where, as a teenager, he first saw Swan Lake, and where his own production later premiered. Speaking from Sadler’s Wells, Bourne reflects on the enduring impact of the venue on his work, accompanied by performances from the filmed version of Swan Lake, first broadcast by the BBC in 1996 and shot at the same theatre.

This intimate programme offers a glimpse into the mind of one of Britain’s most celebrated theatre-makers.