Bourne stamps his identity on new show

Sir Matthew Bourne's brand new dance production '˜Early Adventures' opens at the Grand Theatre tonight.
The Infernal Gallop from Matthew Bournes Early AdventuresThe Infernal Gallop from Matthew Bournes Early Adventures
The Infernal Gallop from Matthew Bournes Early Adventures

The show is celebrating 30 years of Bourne’s production company ‘New Adventures’ and features three of his earliest works.

‘Watch With Mother’ in particular has not been performed for more than 25 years and it joins ‘Town and Country’ and ‘The Infernal Gallop’ in the show, both of which haven’t been seen for five years.

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About the show, Sir Matthew said: “Somebody described it as ‘totally bonkers’ the other day and it sort of is.

“You never know what’s going to come up next really, there’s even a duet that starts off in a French pissoir.”

Despite Sir Matthew Bourne and Blackpool both being synonymous with dance, with venues such as the Tower Ballroom and the Empress Ballroom, this will the first time he’s actually brought one of his productions to the town.

He added: “I’ve been saying for years, ‘why don’t we go to Blackpool?’ and it feels crazy that we’ve never been.

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“We’ve been touring for 30 years in small to mid-scale and eventually larger venues, but we’ve never stopped off here and I’ve always wondered why.

“So when this tour date got announced, I was thrilled and I’m coming for a few days because I’ve never been anywhere or seen anything so I’m going to have a little look around and I hope it will become a regular place for us.”

During his distinguished career, Bourne has won what seems like an endless number of accolades; he’s been given five Olivier awards and is the only British director to scoop two Tony awards for the same show – his production of Swan Lake, which has gone onto be the longest running ballet on both London’s West End and Broadway.

But now, he’s looking to win over a new audience in Blackpool.

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He said: “What I’d like is for people who would like to see the show, to bring someone who think they won’t like it and see what they say afterwards. That’s my challenge.”

Early Adventures is at the Grand Theatre today and tomorrow.

Tickets are priced from £13.50. To book, call 01253 290190 or visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk.

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