New Adventures

THE THEATRE ROYAL GLASGOW IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE AN EXCITING NEW COLLABORATION WITH MATTHEW BOURNE’S NEW ADVENTURES

LORD OF THE FLIES

A New Adventures Production by arrangement with Glasgow Theatres and Re:Bourne

> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE AS PDF

In a unique collaboration with the Theatre Royal Glasgow, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures returns with a powerful new dance theatre adaptation based on the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The production opens at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow on 2nd March 2011, a significant year, marking the Centenary of William Golding’s birth.

Ambassador Theatre Group’s Joint Chief Executive, Rosemary Squire said: “Being involved in a process that brings together the Theatre Royal’s Creative Learning team and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures to create a brand new and unique piece of theatre is hugely exciting, especially as this is only the third adaptation the Lord of the Flies in its 56 year history. Matthew Bourne is an extraordinary choreographer and his involvement in creating a new production heralds a truly extraordinary period for the Theatre Royal, the participants and the dance community at large”.

The production is the culmination of a year-long collaboration which began when Glasgow Theatres was awarded £265,905 in 2009 by Creative Scotland as part of a £2.5million National Lottery Inspire Fund. Spearheaded by Glasgow Theatres’ Creative Learning team and working in partnership with New Adventures, Re:Bourne and West Dunbartonshire Council, the project brings together professional artists with local boys and young men. Combining dance and film media the young people have worked alongside New Adventures dance artists as part of a thrilling new production of Lord of the Flies.

Anita Clark, Portfolio Manager, Creative Scotland said: ‘Glasgow Theatres’ collaboration with choreographer Matthew Bourne and his company New Adventures is truly inspirational. Matthew’s choreography has been hugely influential in exciting audiences across the globe about dance. Lord of the Flies creates a brilliant opportunity for young people from West Dunbartonshire to develop skills as performers and to be part of such an ambitious new production. Creative Scotland’s investment is aimed at more, better and wider opportunities to participate in the arts. We can’t wait to see the show in March!’

Sandra Love from the West Dunbartonshire Council’s Department of Educational Services said “We are extremely excited to be able to work in partnership with Glasgow Theatre’s Ltd Creative Learning Department. The opportunity for our young people to participate with such professionals will be a boost to their self-esteem, stimulate latent talent and motivate them to greater personal achievement.”

In this new dance adaptation the action is transferred from deserted island to deserted theatre. A group of schoolboys find themselves abandoned. With no adults around they start to create their own rules and to build their own civilization. As time passes, the rituals become more disturbing as dark superstitions take hold. Order finally breaks down and blood is spilt as Ralph, Piggy, Jack and the boys grapple with the ‘beast within’ and the story builds to its thrilling climax.

With a cast of New Adventures dancers and local young people, Golding’s iconic characters are brought to life with raw energy, emotional intensity and electrifying performances. Chilling, beautiful and hugely entertaining, the piece will enthral die-hard Bourne fans as much as a generation of new audiences.

Matthew Bourne said. “We have built up an excellent relationship with Ambassador Theatre Group and Scottish audiences over a number of years. We are delighted to have been chosen by Glasgow Theatres’, and then funded by Creative Scotland to initiate this unprecedented dance project in Glasgow. To combine the talents of professional dancers and promising young local talent to create an original production, using all of New Adventures world class creative team, is surely unique? This will be the first major initiative for my charity Re:Bourne, whose principal aim is to expand the accessibility and understanding of dance/theatre and to encourage widespread participation in dance both as participants and audience members. I am particularly happy that this project is aimed at young men and will help to lift the stigma that is still sometimes attached to their involvement in dance. New Adventures is grateful to everyone who has helped to make this ambitious project a reality”.

New Adventures’ Lord of the Flies follows the phenomenal success of Swan Lake, Nutcracker!, The Car Man, and Edward Scissorhands. Matthew Bourne’s directing and choreography credits also include the West end smash hits Oliver! and Mary Poppins.

Lord of the Flies is devised and directed by Matthew Bourne, co-directed and choreographed by Scott Ambler. Music is by Terry Davies and costume design by Lez Brotherston. Film created by Alan Stockdale with Lighting designed by Chris Davey with sound design by Paul Groothuis.