Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Car Man is back! Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera, The Car Man has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire.
The familiar 19th Century Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy 1950s garage-diner in the American Mid-West where the dreams and passions of a small-town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome and enigmatic stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.
Matthew Bourne’s vivid storytelling combines with one of the most passionately dramatic scores ever written, with music by Terry Davies featuring Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite (after Bizet’s Carmen), to create a dance thriller like no other.
The Car Man will ignite your senses and leave you breathless.
Review by Richard Lambert
The lighting is simply superb, conjuring up sultry, hot desert nights that simmer with passion. Stark beams of white light cut through the haze, while the shadows in the jail cells are beautifully atmospheric. Rows upon rows of cross light from the overhead rig, side lights, perch lights and rear lighting work together to sculpt a gorgeous tableau for every single scene, with musical nuances and accents in the lighting perfectly punctuating the score.
The orchestra sounds magnificent throughout. From the quality of the musical arrangements to the impeccable sound balance, every element is a pleasure to listen to. The individual musicians are exceptional, with the string section particularly outstanding. Full credit must go to the Musical Director, every member of the orchestra and the sound department for delivering such a rich and immersive musical experience.
The set design is both grand and incredibly clever. Whether we’re entering the city of Harmony, stepping inside the diner, moving into the car workshop, spending time in the jazz bar or finding ourselves in the jail, every location is realised brilliantly. The sheer number of settings created is remarkable, and the fact that this is achieved with a touring set makes the accomplishment even more impressive.
The story remains thrilling and utterly engaging from beginning to end, with the narrative conveyed through dance with complete clarity. Every chapter of this story is choreographed with total comprehension, making it effortless to follow every twist and turn. With solo work, duo, trio, esnemble groups and block unison formation, quite simply, this is probably the most engaging choreography you will see anywhere in the world.
The dancers are superb. Their ability to perform Matthew Bourne‘s demanding choreography is second to none, while their grace and elegance are a joy to watch. The boys’ elevations have to be seen to be believed. There are also unmistakable shades of West Side Story in both the costumes and the staging, and the intricate detail found in every section of the production is a credit to everyone involved.
It is rare to experience dance that tells a story this well. Every department excels, every member of the company gives an outstanding performance, and together they create a production of exceptional quality.
Photo credit: Johan Persson
CAST
Luca – Will Bozier / Harrison Dowzell (alternating)
Lana – Cordelia Braithwaite / Ashley Shaw (alternating)
Angelo – Leonardo McCorkindale / Harry Ondrak-Wright (alternating)
Rita – Anna-Maria de Freitas / Kurumi Kamayachi (alternating)
Dino – Danny Reubens / Alan Vincent (alternating)
Press night cast:
LUCA – Will Bozier
LANA – Ashley Shaw
ANGELO – Harry Ondrak-Wright
RITA – Anna-Maria De Freitas
DINO – Danny Reubens
Company
Tanisha Addicott
Jamie Duncan-Campbell
Cameron Flynn
Jack Frame
Rory Macleod
Callum Mann
Serena McCall
Eleanor McGrath
Jarrod McWilliams
Rae Miller
Eve Ngbokota
Nikolas Shikkis
Xavier Andriambolanoro-Sotiya
Lyra Treglown
Jack Widdowson
Karishma Young
CREATIVES
Director & Choreographer – Matthew Bourne
Music – Terry Davies featuring Carmen Suite by Rodion Shchedrin (after Georges Bizet’s Carmen)
Set & Costume Design – Lez Brotherston
Lighting Design – Chris Davey
Sound Design – Paul Groothuis