Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, Swan Lake at Sadler's Wells

As striking today as when it first took ballet audiences by storm in 1995, Matthew Bourne’s daring reinterpretation of Swan Lake returns to Sadler’s Wells in a revised version fit for the 21st century and performed by his New Adventures company.

Turning the gentle and diaphanous enchanted princesses of the 19th century Russian classic into a corps of menacing all-male swans was the first major coup de theatre of Bourne's prolific and stellar career.

It wrenched his profile out the iconoclastic niche of his earlier works into a glittering limelight, where it continues to attract diverse and enthusiastic new audiences.

Bourne stuck to the original plot of Swan Lake … sort of. A melancholy Prince, alienated from his emotionally-stunted and frankly vulgar palace life, takes himself to a lake where he is prevented from committing suicide by a powerful and irresistible swan.

The Prince promptly falls in love; but the swan who turns up for his palace party is the dark counterpart of this bewitched and bewitching creature, and the ball portends the Prince’s final downfall.

In the 20+ years since its premiere Bourne’s Swan Lake has toured the world incessantly, in the process collecting over 30 international awards, including one Olivier in the UK and three Tonys on Broadway.

In many ways, it’s the complete stage work, blending Bourne’s audacious concept and effective choreography with Les Brotherston’s magnificent set and costumes, Paul Constable’s lighting and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s much loved score.

Despite its long run, it’s bound to sell out… so early booking is advised

Age Guidance: Children under 5 will not be admitted