Jann Parry lines up with the majority of her colleagues and finds 'The Car Man' overlong and overblown. Although she does try to end on an upbeat note:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>That said, Car Man is far better value than a limp West End musical. Let's hope that the Old Vic proves a safe house for Bourne to try out ideas without too much commercial pressure.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Also covered is Sheron Wray's 'Jazz Exchange'. Sheron is an ex Rambert dancer and one of her themes is improvising dance to improvised music. I'll try to fit it in next week.<P> <A HREF="http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,369218,00.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,369218,00.html</A><P><BR>But David Dougill gives 'The Car Man' the thumbs up with a couple of caveats:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>So how does all this sensationalism work out in dance terms? The big ensembles are done with gusto: butch "wrenching" numbers for the corps of car mechanics (one of them female); a strutting-stuff scene for cowboy-hatted dudes and gals in the club. Bourne is a slick choreo-grapher in this showbiz manner, although his formulas have grown familiar. The mass-orgy scene is rather ridiculous. There is a cabaret number that is a wickedly funny send-up of Martha Graham, but scarcely justified. <P>For the leading characters, the dances are subtly expressive and inventively detailed; and AMP's practised artistes are wholly committed in their performances.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>However, Dougill does not get much out of 'La Danse du Temps' by Ballet Atlantique.<P> <A HREF="http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/17/sticuldnc02001.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/17/sticuldnc02001.html</A> <P><p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited September 16, 2000).]

Coming on in leaps and bounds A Guardian Profile of Matthew Bourne by John Cunningham <A HREF="http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4064237,00.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4064237,00.html</A> <P>Driven with urgency The Car Man at The Old Vic, London by Judith Mackrell Friday September 15, 2000 <A HREF="http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/reviews/story/0,3604,368603,00.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/reviews/story/0,3604,368603,00.html</A> <BR>

'The Car Man' has won 'Best Musical Event' in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. In previous years the category has been 'Best Musical'.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.albemarle-london.com/es9600.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.albemarle-london.com/es9600.html</A> <P>Matthew Bourne always seems a bit puzzled when he wins 'Best Musical' awards. AS he points out there aren't any songs!<P>Well done to all the team involved. As the Nutcracker season descends on us, this will be a good time to go and see it.<P>

This may be redundant (I didn't have time to read this entire thread), but at the end of the movie "Billy Elliot", was that Swan Lake the Matthew Bourne version--I'm assuming it was...since it appeared to be "all male". I thought that ending scene was SO great!! I wish they had shown more of it!!!

Yes, trina it was the AMP 'Swan Lake'. It should be available on video in the US, so perhaps you can beg, borrow or steal a copy.<P>Most people, including me think that it is great. I have heard some muttering about no pointe work and the hilarious scene sending up a Romantic ballet offended others. Finally there are those who say that it is too populist.<P>Enough, already! It was the hottest theatre ticket in London earlier this year and a lot of folk saw some quality modern/hybrid choreography for the first time.

I think it's cool-the Matthew Bourne version of Swan Lake. Every generation gets to comment, revise and contribute to great artistic masterpieces. I refer to the many "revisonist" versions of Shakespeare's plays---ie. set in various time periods, different period costumes, etc. This only serves to heighten our understanding of the works, their timelessness and universality.

Good news:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>TRIO Acquires Matthew Bourne's 'The Car Man'</B><P>Nando Media <P>TRIO Acquires Matthew Bourne's 'The Car Man' <P>London's Dance Sensation Slated for American Television Premiere in Fall 2001<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.nandotimes.com/newsroom/prn/archive/data/042301/prn0620.html" TARGET=_blank><B>More</B></A>