In this video, audience members give their verdict on Matthew Bourne‘s The Midnight Bell at Sadler’s Wells: a dance theatre production inspired by the works of English novelist Patrick Hamilton, particularly his 1929 novel The Midnight Bell. The production weaves together the lives of twelve characters who frequent the Midnight Bell, a fictional pub based on real Soho locations. Each character harbours private hopes and personal heartaches, with their stories intertwining.
- Watch: Terry Davies, composer behind Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell, discusses the production’s music
- Read: Review of In C with dancers | a cross-disciplinary UK premiere
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. Bourne’s choreography attempts to capture the emotional complexity of each individual’s internal world, blending moments of intimacy, awkwardness, and fleeting connection.
- Read: Dance inspired by literature | 5 contemporary dance pieces
- Read: Review of Our Mighty Groove | a dance show that gets audiences on the dancefloor
The production immerses the audience in the post-war, pre-WWII London environment. 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.
- Read: Review of Vollmond | an avant-garde dance work with everything from empty bottles to Brazilian electronica at Sadler’s Wells
- 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
To watch the interview with audience members watching Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell at Sadler’s Wells, see below.