Practitioner focus: Matthew Bourne's New Adventures

Matthew Bourne is renowned for shattering stereotypes and exploring new possibilities in dance. Key to his creative approach is the creation of new work based on familiar stories, all of which are accessible to audiences unfamiliar with dance. His work is eclectic in its influences, ranging from old films to musical theatre.

Matthew Bourne himself would say that his style was difficult to describe. What interests him are narratives, characters and relationships, rather than a more abstract approach to movement. As he works with dancers from a range of training backgrounds including contemporary, musical theatre and classical ballet, he blends genres to create something truly unique. Key to his stagecraft is his unique approach to collaboration with his creative team and dancers, working with the musical score and storytelling through movement.