Odette has it rough. First a wizard turns her into a swan. Then an imposter seduces her lover. Finally, she’s cast into a watery grave. The origins of the tale are hazy. It is best remembered for Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s 1877 ballet Swan Lake. Some compared the story to the composer’s own life as a repressed gay man. Others to the drowned King Ludwig II of Bavaria; a homosexual nicknamed “The Swan King.” In 1995, choreographer Matthew Bourne crafted a queer reimagining of the tale. A lonely prince falls for a handsome swan. The world tears them apart.
Bourne’s ballet premiered in London. Then transferred to Broadway. It has since travelled the world. The ballet was filmed for PBS in 1998. Subsequent productions were filmed in 2012 and 2019. Each allows the dancers to bring their own personalities to Bourne’s characters. The Prince is a tragic, sympathetic protagonist. But the Swans, now all men, are the stars. Graceful and athletic. Sexy and scary. Dangerous and fiercely territorial. It’s all a bit panto when they’re off stage. Lots of silly British royals behaving badly. But the lakeside pas de deux is mesmerizing.
I lack the vocabulary to discuss Bourne’s choreography. But I’d like to examine his story. Let’s look in this spoiler filled recap.
Royal Nightmares
Scene One: Royal Palace
PRINCE: Mumsy, I had a bad dream about a swan. Hold me.
QUEEN: Silence fool. Get to work!
(The Prince attends a series of royal events. He stares at a naked male statue.)
GIRLFRIEND: Yoo-hoo! Princey-poo! It’s time for our date! Mind if I cackle inappropriately all night?
PRINCE: If you must.
QUEEN: How vulgar.
Scene Two: Night Club
BORED SHOWGIRLS: Hey big spender.
SAILORS: Forget the girls. Come party with us.
PRINCE (drunk): How dare you insinuate that I’m a homosexual!
(Prince punches a Sailor and gets thrown out.)
EVIL VIZIER: Thanks for bearding our gay Prince. Take the money strumpet.
GIRLFRIEND: A girl’s gotta eat.
PRINCE: I’ve been betrayed.
Scene Three: Lake
PRINCE: I shall drown myself.
SWAN: Out of my way!
(A handsome Swan leads his flock to the lake. They dance menacingly.)
PRINCE: You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.
SWAN: Ugh. As if. I won’t dance with you. Well… maybe.
(The Swan and Prince dance a tender pas de deux. The Flock mocks them.)
FLOCK: So, is he part human? Or is the Prince about to shag a swan?
Scene Four: Royal Ball
PRINCE: Mumsy, I’ve met someone.
QUEEN: Silence fool! I’ve summoned all the eligible maidens in the land. Pick a bride.
MAN IN BLACK: How ya like me now Prince? Ladies, let’s rock.
(The sexy Man in Black seduces all the maidens. Then the Queen.)
PRINCE: Who are you? Why are you doing this?
MAN IN BLACK: Maybe I’m the Swan. Maybe I’m the Evil Vizier’s son. Maybe I’m just horny.
(Man in black kisses the Queen. The Prince pulls a gun on her and accidentally shoots his Girlfriend.)
QUEEN: I never liked you.
Scene Five: The Prince’s Bedroom
DOCTORS: Creepy Doctor’s Voguing. Strike a pose.
PRINCE: Were the swans real? Or was this all in my head?
FLOCK: Guess who’s under your bed. We’ve come to kill you.
SWAN: Get away from him you b- cygnets!
(The Swan shields the Prince. The Flock kills the Swan. The Prince dies of… grief?)
QUEEN: My son!? Your death has shattered my icy detachment!
(The Swan and Prince appear as Ghosts.)
PRINCE GHOST: Why are there so many gay tragedies?
SWAN GHOST: To be fair, the straight version also ends like this.
(They embrace.)
THE END
Cygnet Dreams
The 30 years of history has changed all of it, it’s not seen as controversial anymore, it’s ‘bring the kids at Christmas, bring the family’. It’s changed enormously. ~ Matthew Bourne
Ondine the nymph. Ariel the mermaid. Odette the swan. Mythical beings who died for love. Matthew Bourne’s Prince, Swan and Stranger in Black are mysterious. Are the latter two “real?” Or projections of the Prince’s trauma? We may not understand their reality. But we all understand loneliness.
I’ve enjoyed comparing the filmed productions. There are subtle changes to the choreography. Some of the dancers focus on technique. Others have acting chops and benefit from the camera close ups. My favorite performances are from separate recordings. Adam Cooper brings a sweet curiosity to the Swan in 1998. His Stranger, in contrast, is cruel. Dominic North’s Prince in 2012 is extremely vulnerable. Practically an open wound. He offers the Swan the warmth he desperately desires himself. His joy after their first dance is infectious.
Swan Lake was a pioneer. PBS brought it a broader audience. A scene in the 2000 film Billy Elliot built its reputation further. It is now considered a classic, yet feels fresh and modern. Bourne continues to explore queer relationships in his work. Even his Cinderella features a closeted stepbrother. Other choreographers have slowly joined him, offering unique opportunities for male dancers. Whether you’re a ballet connoisseur or unfamiliar with the art form, I’d recommend giving Swan Lake a watch.
You can find more of my reviews on The Avocado, Letterboxd and Serializd. My podcast, Rainbow Colored Glasses, can be found here.