Review: The Car Man (tour)
Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 08 November 2007
Just when you think that the wonderful Matthew Bourne cannot possibly surpass his previous work, he does it again with this revival of his superb re-imagining of Bitzet’s Carmen.
This is an opera without song, replaced with dance but with all the drama, emotion and tension cranked up to gale force ten. Bourne calls this piece a “dance thriller” and that is the best way to describe it because it is ‘edge of your seat’ stuff.
The lust, passion and revenge of the original story remains but Matthew has thrown in the usual Bourne touches such as nudity, filmic references, gay representation and a cinematic feel to the proceedings.
The result is a jaw dropping dance piece which is so much more than clever choreography, alone. Terry Davies’ music moves the audience with its epic sweeping feel and Chris Davey’s evocative lighting, likewise gives the piece a real sense of cinema.
Lez Brotherston’s set has so many nooks and crannies, that it provides the characters with places to hide and do wrong. Bourne excels himself with this ingeniuous piece as there is so much high drama in the first act that it seems like a two hour thriller in itself. The second half is not as strong, narrative wise. But it still packs a punch by the time the thrilling denouement crashes across the stage.
Owing as much to The Postman Always Rings Twice as Bitzet’s classic opera, you can almost feel the glare of the unforging sun as it belts down on the dirty low-down characters.
Key scenes include a hilarious ho down which is Footloose meets The Nutcracker and an eye catching scene involving two awe struck lovers, both in love with the same man. Staged using a wonderful split screen effect; the twist here is that one lover is female and the other is male.
The entire cast is flawless and they make the complicated dance moves seem effortless. Sam Archer stood out for me as you really feel his pain as his emoting through dance is heart breaking. It truly is a powerhouse performance.
Jason Bourne may leave film fans breathless with excitment, but Matthew Bourne’s adventures on stage, reign supreme. His Car Man is an instant classic!
-Glenn Meads