A timeline forMatthew Bourne's Swan Lake

1995

The show had its World Premiere at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London on 9 November 1995 and ran until 25 November. 

An image of the original Swan Lake show poster from 1995
Original Show Poster

First UK Tour

The show toured to various venues around the UK from 6 February until 13 April.

Swan Lake transferred to the West End on 11 September 1996 at the Piccadilly Theatre. Here it ran for 120 performances - the longest run ever known in London for any production of a full-length dance classic. 

AWARDS: 

  • Winner of Best New Dance Production - Olivier Awards
  • Best Touring Dance Production - The Manchester Evening News Award
  • Outstanding Live Performance - Gay Times Readers Poll
  • Adam Cooper for his performance - Time Out Dance Award 
Scott Ambler with Swan
Credit: Hugo Glendinning
A press cutting from 15 September 1996 titled 'Matthew Bourne's triumphant return'

First US Tour

The show visited the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles 25 April 1997 and was screened in the UK on Boxing Day on BBC2. An excerpt was also performed at The Royal Variety Performance.

AWARDS:

  • Winner of Best Choreography - Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards
  • Matthew Bourne for Swan Lake - The South Bank Show Award 
  • Adam Cooper for his performance - The Evening Standard Ballet Awards
  • Dramalogue Awards (Musical Director – David Frame, Outstanding Performance – Adam Cooper, Outstanding Performance – Scott Ambler, Director – Matthew Bourne, Producer – Katherine Doré, Set and Costume Design – Lez Brotherston)

Opened on Broadway

An illustration of Swan Lake in the New Yorker
Swan Lake illustration in the New Yorker

Swan Lake premiered at the Neil Simon Theatre 8 October 1998, CLICK HERE for a full database of fun facts provided by Playbill.

The first edition of Alastair Macaulay's 'Matthew Bourne and his Adventures in Motion Pictures' was published with image on the front cover of Matthew Bourne and Adam Cooper as The Swan (pictured).

Matthew Bourne and Adam Cooper (The Swan)
Credit: Hugo Glendinning

UK Tour revival

Swan Lake toured the UK from 2 Oct – 11 Dec 1999

AWARDS:

  • Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design at the 53rd Tony Awards
  • Astaire Award (Special Award for Direction, Choreography and Concept of Swan Lake, Outstanding Male Dancer - Adam Cooper) 
  • Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Director of a Musical – Matthew Bourne, Outstanding Choreography – Matthew Bourne, Outstanding Set Design of a Musical – Lez Brotherston, Outstanding Costume Design – Lez Brotherston, Unique Theatrical Experience – Swan Lake)
  • Outer Circle Critics Awards (Outstanding Director of a Musical – Matthew Bourne, Outstanding Choreography – Matthew Bourne, Outstanding Costume Design – Lez Brotherston)

International Tour

Swan Lake 2000 Poster for the run at the Dominion Theatre in London's West End

Swan Lake toured around the world and played the Dominion Theatre in London's West End.

International Tour

This tour continued into 2003 and included Japan.

Legendary Lake dazzles the world

Express & Star

10th Anniversary of Swan Lake

Swan Lake played at Sadler's Wells from 30 November until 16 January 2005 and continued onto a UK Tour throughout 2005.

US Tour

Theatres visited included Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago and Orpheum Theatre, LA. 

Swan Lake had a Christmas Season at London's Sadler's Wells.

UK Tour

Included a season at Sadler's Wells and a UK tour throughout 2010.

New York City Center 

Swan Lake returned to New York City for the first time since 1998 and played a four-week season at the City Center.

Swan Lake 3D

The first ever 3D ballet of its kind!

UK and International Tour (including Australia)

Swan Lake 2014 - Sydney Photoshoot
Credit: Lightbox Photography

Swan Lake returns with a fresh look for the 21st Century

Swan Lake tours the UK from September 2018 - May 2019 with a Christmas season at Sadler's Wells.

UK & International Tour

An excerpt of the show featuring The Prince and Swan duet was performed at The Olivier Awards 2019 on 7 April as part of Matthew Bourne receiving the Special Award in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in dance.

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake wowed audiences throughout the UK and visited more venues than ever in Asia and the US. 

US Tour

llustration of The Swans in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
llustration of The Swans in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
Credit: Ping Zhu

The show had a 7-week Christmas season at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, had its debut at the Kennedy Center, Washington and gave its 378th and final performance for our 2018-20 tour on 9 February at New York City Center after touring to 34 venues, 7 countries and 4 continents with 58 dancers & crew on the road, making this an unforgettable tour.

You made it to the end (for now!), click here go even further Behind the Scenes.