THRILLING, audacious and totally original, Matthew Bourne’s legendary production of Swan Lake transforms one of ballet’s best-loved stories into a stylish, witty, poignant, contemporary tale with extravagant, award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston.

Perhaps best known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble, Matthew Bourne blends dance, style, humour, spectacle, character comedy and mime to create a provocative and powerful Swan Lake for our times.

Since its world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, Matthew Bourne’s breathtaking and sexy version has become the longest-running ballet in London’s West End and on Broadway.

It has enjoyed four successful tours in the UK and continues to thrill audiences throughout the world.

Originally written by Tchaikovsky in the late 19th century, Swan Lake was staged at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre in 1877, but it wasn’t until 18 years later — after the death of its composer — that it was finally staged in St Petersburg and became a universal classic.

The Bristol Hippodrome, Tuesday to Saturday, May 20-24, evenings at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.