THE dance continues with Matthew Bourne’s infamous Swan Lake, currently on its fifth international tour, playing at Newcastle Theatre Royal, from April 8 to 19.

This Swan Lake is best known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble. The production, directed and choreographed by Bourne, has become the longest running ballet in the West End and Broadway.

Bourne has also been announced as a patron of the Friends of the Theatre Royal.

“Over the years of touring the country with my company New Adventures I, along with many of our dancers, have incredibly fond memories of our time at the Theatre Royal,” says Bourne.

“Audiences in the North-East never fail to deliver fantastic packed houses for our shows and are always so generous in applause and standing ovations.

“Philip and his team are always on hand to make the Theatre Royal feel like our North-East home and the Friends’ scheme does stirling work at encouraging audiences to support their regional theatre.”

He joins Jill Halfpenny as a patron of the Friends’ organisation.

The Friends organisation at the Theatre Royal is one of the biggest in the country with more than 6,000 members. It is also one of the most generous Friends’ schemes in the UK – members benefit from 20 per cent off tickets and drinks, priority booking ahead of the public, free ticket exchange, reduced booking fees, and are always the first to receive information regarding new shows.

  • For more information about the Friends of the Theatre Royal, or to join, visit theatreroyal.co.uk/ join-us/become-a-friend