In this interview Hannah Nepilova speaks to the composer Terry Davies about his score for Matthew Bourne’s 2021 dance theatre production The Midnight Bell, which will be reprised at Sadlers Wells this summer.
- Read: Review of Vollmond | an avant-garde dance work with everything from empty bottles to Brazilian electronica
- Read: Dance inspired by literature | 5 contemporary dance pieces
Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell is a dance theatre production inspired by the works of English novelist Patrick Hamilton, particularly his 1929 novel The Midnight Bell. Hamilton’s stories often explore the gritty, melancholic lives of working-class Londoners in the interwar period, delving into themes of loneliness, longing, and disillusionment. Bourne, known for his narrative-driven choreography and cinematic flair, brings these characters to life through a blend of contemporary dance and theatrical storytelling, set against the dimly lit backdrop of a 1930s London pub.
- Read: Review of In C with dancers | a cross-disciplinary UK premiere
- Read: Review of Our Mighty Groove | a dance show that gets audiences on the dancefloor
The production weaves together the lives of twelve characters who frequent the Midnight Bell, a fictional public house based on real Soho locations. Each character harbours private hopes and personal heartaches, with their stories intertwining in surprising and emotionally resonant ways. Bourne’s choreography captures the emotional complexity of each individual’s internal world, blending moments of intimacy, awkwardness, and fleeting connection.
- Read: Review of Exit Above | a dance piece inspired by pop music and Shakespeare
- Read: Review of Rite of Spring | Stravinsky’s formidable work meets the Bharatanatyam school of dance
The production immerses the audience in the post-war, pre-WWII London environment, using movement and gesture rather than dialogue to communicate. By drawing on Hamilton’s nuanced character studies and adapting them for the stage, Bourne offers a portrait of urban life that is intended to be relatable.
To watch the interview with the composer, see below: