British choreographer’s explosive dance-theatre work inspired by William Golding’s novel makes its Australian debut in 2017.

Sir Matthew Bourne’s production of Lord of the Flies will have an exclusive Australian season at Arts Centre Melbourne in April 2017, it was announced today. Sir Matthew is one of the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer/directors, whose productions include his famous Swan Lake featuring all-male swans, Edward Scissorhands based on the Tim Burton film and The Car Man, loosely based on Bizet’s Carmen – all of which have been seen in Australia.

Lord of the Flies, created by Bourne and choreographer Scott Ambler for Bourne’s company New Adventures & Re:Bourne, had its world premiere in Glasgow in 2011 and then toured the UK to great acclaim. The explosive dance-theatre work is based on William Golding’s classic 1954 novel about a group of schoolboys isolated on a desert island who descend into tribalism and savagery. In a typical Bourne twist, the story is no longer set on an island but in a deserted theatre. With a riot going on outside, the boys have taken shelter in the theatre and have become trapped behind the dock doors.

The beautiful but chilling production, brought to life with a raw physicality, features a cast of professional and amateur performers. At each stop on the UK tour, local boys were auditioned to play the schoolboys alongside professional dancers. Reviews in the UK praised the seamless integration of the two groups.

In Melbourne, the production will feature a cast of New Adventure dancers from the UK alongside professional dancers from Australia and a team of talented young people from across Victoria, who will be chosen through a large-scale, state-wide, grass-roots community outreach programme. In a unique opportunity, up to 24 boys and young men will then be invited to take up residence at Arts Centre Melbourne to perform in the production.

“The ambitions of this production are to change perception of dance as an activity for boys and young men, nurture young people and help discover the next generation of dancers and choreographers,” said a media statement.

A five-time Olivier Award winner, Bourne is the only British person to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director (for Swan Lake in 1999). His Swan Lake is the longest-running ballet on Broadway and in London’s West End.