Northern Ballet and Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux announce the co production of a new Swan Lake.
Danced to Tchaikovsky's stellar music played live, Swan Lake will be choreographed by Rachel Beaujean, reimagining the classic story. Staying true to its dramatic power, the ballet will give Odette back her voice in a world that tries to deny her. Swan Lake will be performed by Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux in their home theatre in 2026 before Northern Ballet tours the production throughout the UK in 2027-28.
Beaujean was a dancer for 20 years and worked with Dutch National Ballet for 50 years. As a choreographer, she is best known for adaptations of ballets such as Les Sylphides, Giselle, Paquita, Raymonda and most recently La Bayadere. Her experience adapting these classic works, paired with dramaturg Uzma Hameed (Northern Ballet’s Victoria), is the ideal combination to develop a new Swan Lake.
Odette has been raised as a swan to protect her from the king who stole her mother’s crown, while her mother plots to reclaim the kingdom. In human form, Odette falls in love with Prince Siegfried, but their love refuses to be a pawn in their parents’ pursuit of power, even as tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Beaujean uses the surrounding narrative to give depth to her character’s journeys, where Odette's final metamorphosis is no longer an inevitability, but an act of independence and freedom.
The creative team is completed by set and costume designs from Colin Richmond (Northern Ballet’s Merlin) and lighting by Alastair West (Northern Ballet’s Casanova).
Choreographer Rachel Beaujean said:
“My love for classical ballet has guided me in the direction of creating productions that show the “jewels of choreography” from the past while updating the storytelling so that audiences of today can relate and enjoy our heritage.”
Northern Ballet Artistic Director Federico Bonelli said:
“Swan Lake is without a doubt one of the greatest and most well-loved ballets. When thinking about a new version for Northern Ballet, I knew I wanted to keep those magical elements that we all love and approach the story in a way which gives the female characters more agency. I was thrilled to co-produce this with Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux and to bring Rachel Beaujean, a choreographer whose classical adaptations I much admire, on board. Although UK audiences will have to wait a little longer to enjoy this new version, I know it will be worth the wait.”
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