Matthew Bourne's Early Adventures

As part of New Adventures' 25th anniversary celebrations, Britain's favourite choreographer presents a triple bill of acclaimed early works that launched his career. Spitfire 'an advertisement divertissement' was Bourne's first hit in 1988, it hilariously places the most famous 19th century ballet showstopper in the world of men's underwear advertising. Town and Country from 1991 gave Bourne and his company their first Olivier nomination. Remembered as the piece that crystallised the Bourne style; gloriously witty and ironic, but also strangely moving and heartfelt. It explores notions of national character from a bygone era through the evocative music of Edward Elgar, Noel Coward and Percy Grainger, amongst others. The Infernal Galop was inspired by icons of France in the 30s and 40s. This is France as seen by the uptight English imagination, with all the traditional cliches joyously paraded for our entertainment and climaxing in Offenbach's inevitable Can-Can!