Matthew Bourne's New Adventures has today announced that multi award-winning dance thriller The Car Man will play a limited run at the Royal Albert Hall from 17-27 June 2021, as part of the venue’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Based on Bizet's beloved Carmen, the familiar 19th Century Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy garage-diner in 1960’s America where the dreams and passions of a small town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.
In a spectacular reimagined staging, the production will utilise the vast expanse of the stunning Royal Albert Hall, complete with a cast of 33 dancers, a 25-piece live orchestra and an epic new design by Olivier and Tony Award winner Lez Brotherston.
The Car Man will play for only 14 performances, which will be the only showings in the UK next year.
The production is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, with music by Terry Davies & Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite (after Bizet’s Carmen), with lighting by Chris Davey and sound by Paul Groothuis.
Artistic Director of the Royal Albert Hall, Lucy Noble said: “We’re so incredibly excited to welcome The Car Man to the Royal Albert Hall as a highlight of our anniversary celebrations. This is one of modern dance’s most thrilling shows, and to see it specially adapted to the scale and grandeur of this spectacular space promises to be an unforgettable experience.”
Matthew Bourne added: “The Car Man may have found its perfect setting in the epic and spectacular surroundings of Britain’s favourite venue, the Royal Albert Hall. This unique and iconic landmark will only heighten the visceral thrill and emotional highs of a piece already regarded as a classic favourite in the New Adventures repertoire. As a lifelong lover and supporter of the Royal Albert Hall, I am delighted to be a part of its 150th birthday celebrations! it is a real career highlight for me to present my work here for the first time and create what will no doubt be, an important moment in New Adventures history. Whether you have seen The Car Man before or not, you will not want to miss this re-imagined “event” production of the show in an expanded staging that will also be a celebration of our return to live performance after more than fifteen months – We cannot wait to welcome you back too!.”
Tickets go on general sale at 10am on 10 December 2020 with casting announced soon.
Photo: Chris Mann