Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

I know an older wealthy gay man who is obsessed with it. He has seen it dozens of times, and he's so rich he's been able to meet the cast(s) over the years and has flown out some of the dancers to our city to fuck them.

Did you get all the references, e.g. in the bar scene, OP?

R2, I enjoyed the scene at the Swank Bar, but no, some of the references probably flew over my head. I don't see very much ballet, but this makes me want to see more.

They filmed it and showed it in theaters a number of years ago, and I thought, even on screen, that it was brilliant. I would love to see it live.

This is the Head Swan, plus the Prince. The dancer's name is Will Bozier.

Starring in Bourne's Swan Lake was how Gap commercial star Will Kemp first made his name--briefly. Then he disappeared,.

I saw this when it first played on Broadway in 1998. From the beginning, it's clear that Bourne's male swans are are "real" swans. They're powerful and scary; there's something otherworldly about the Prince's attraction to the lead Swan. As I recall, there's a Princess Diana reference in the portrayal of the conflicts in the prince's family.

Andrew Monaghan plays the Prince.

It must have been great fun doing the casting for this production.

I've been curious to see it.

Saw it in LA debut many moons ago. It was quite beautiful and revolutionary for 1996 We were in third row aisle and when one of the dancers feathers wafted over us I snatched it like it was a fly ball at Wrigley field. Still have it somewhere.

I saw the first act of the Broadway production. I had no quibble with the ballet, but the performance of the score was wholly unacceptable. The orchestra was reduced to the size of a pit band, then mics were added to beef it back up. The mics picked up the bows scraping across the strings. I heard woodwind players taking breaths. Musically, it was abominable.

I hope that over the years and in subsequent productions, they have done something to improve the presentation of Tchaikovsky's great score.

Thought Bourne's Swan Lake breathtaking. His Car Man was stomach churning.

[quote] but the performance of the score was wholly unacceptable.

Karen, I hope you contacted the house manager and gave him a piece of your mind!

I was unimpressed when I saw it. Didn't understand what the fuss was about. And yes, the poor production values regarding the music was a big turn off.

Saw it on TV. The prince was gorgeous.

[quote] I was surprised at the number of straight couples in the audience.

It's 2019. It's not that surprising for straights to tune into gay themed entertainment.

Enormous numbers of straight people have been going to Tennessee Williams plays for more than 70 years.

Loved the usage of it in the big finale in the Billy Elliott movie. Perfection.

I wanna see Jason Bourne's Swan Lake.

R17, fair point! But for instance, I sat a row in front of a group of two older, Russian-speaking, straight couples. I dunno -- made me wonder if perhaps they hadn't gotten mixed up and thought they were seeing the original Swan Lake ballet...

Matthew Ball

I wanna see this.

I enjoyed this when it first came out.

One of the dancers came into my shop the other day. Such a sweetheart! Said he'd send more cast members in. Really hope I can find time to see the show.

BBC Radio 3 are obsessed with it. It seems like every quarter they do another programme or get another interview on it - this year I caught three different shows about it as a casual listener not looking for them. It’s amazing the show still gathers attention & praise over 20 years on...

I want to see more gay takes on classic ballets. That would get me out to the ballet more often...

R22, all those sweaty guys. Hot!

Thanks, OP. It’s playing in January at the Kennedy Center. I’m now planning on getting tickets. I’ve wanted to see this for quite some time.

Well, it ain't no Christmas with the Crawfords.

That sounds fun R30

“Starring in Bourne's Swan Lake was how Gap commercial star Will Kemp first made his name--briefly. Then he disappeared,.”

It was his swan song.

“It must have been great fun doing the casting for this production.”

Some casting director had a lot of feathers in his cap.

Do they present hole?

Not to the paying audience, R34. You have to get one of them alone. If you do, you'll hardly be able to stop them from presenting hole.

Ha R32.

What are you gonna do, shoot the swans? These lovelies?

[quote]You have to get one of them alone. If you do, you'll hardly be able to stop them from presenting hole.

Now THAT is the holiday spirit!

I saw it just outside of London earlier this year, and I was blown away. I didn't know anything about the show, and had never seen a ballet before. I thought it was poignant, moving and inspiring. And yea, the fact that nearly all of the cast are gorgeous, fit, half-naked men, made me warm to it quite quickly.

R38, I liked it so much, I'm seeing it again after New Year! With a different friend.

Yes, this is the perfect ballet for the culturally deprived who have never before seen ballet.

R40, or just a chance to support gay ballet.

R35, I'd love to see the type of fun these boys get up to after the show ends!

As performed at the finale of the Olivier Awards.

Ever see the Bejart Ballet? Superb, Belgian, all-male, classical Company.

R44, I've never seen 'em, but I'm intrigued! Thanks for the suggestion.

I do not go to ballet.

So, is the end of Billy Elliot Billy's dancing in that production of Swan Lake? Are there other versions where men take the lead role?

R46, see R19.

I quite liked this

See this, r47.

R45 Sorry, since I saw them last (ok, years) they are now Swiss and have got some women in the company.

[quote][R46], see [R19].

Oops. I didn't see that comment when I skimmed through.

Asked and answered.