An inside Look at Matthew Bourne’s THE MIDNIGHT BELL

No one conjures dance-theatre experiences quite like Matthew Bourne. His New Adventures company has been reimagining classics for decades—SWAN LAKE, anyone?—and THE MIDNIGHT BELL might just be his most atmospheric creation yet. Inspired by the works of Patrick Hamilton, best known for TWENTY THOUSAND STREETS UNDER THE SKY and HANGOVER SQUARE, this piece transports audiences to a 1930s London where ordinary people find solace in the pubs of Soho. There, they share their yearnings, their shattered dreams, and their quiet hopes.

It’s the perfect setting for a dance narrative: dimly lit alleys, smoky bars, creaking floorboards, and the raw emotional undercurrent of everyday life. When this production premiered in 2021, critics applauded its evocative portrayal of human desires colliding with realities. Now, Bourne is reviving THE MIDNIGHT BELL for a 2025 tour with a cast he describes as “the finest company of quintessential New Adventures actors/dancers ever assembled for a single production!” He’s known for not mincing words, and if you’ve followed New Adventures’ track record—winning multiple Olivier and Tony Awards—you’ll appreciate the heft of such a statement.

Familiar Favourites Return

The newly announced ensemble features 14 New Adventures regulars, many of whom appeared in the original cast. In conversation, Bourne couldn’t hide his excitement when listing their names: Cordelia Braithwaite, Reece Causton, Glenn Graham, Daisy May Kemp, Hannah Kremer, Michela Meazza, Andy Monaghan, Liam Mower, Dominic North, Bryony Pennington, Edwin Ray, Danny Reubens, Ashley Shaw, and Alan Vincent. These performers bring with them nearly three decades of experience in Bourne’s creations, having tackled roles in everything from CAR MAN to THE RED SHOES.

One name that leaps off the page is Michela Meazza, who won a National Dance Award for her role in THE MIDNIGHT BELL’s initial run. Given that her portrayal was universally praised for its depth, the prospect of seeing her reprise that character is a rare treat. And she’s not the only reason to be excited: Ashley Shaw and Liam Mower also possess an uncanny ability to embody the emotional arcs of Bourne’s storytelling. If you’ve ever caught them on stage, you’ll know how meticulously they fuse classical technique with human vulnerability.

All About Design

While the world of Patrick Hamilton might not be as immediately recognisable as Dickens’ or Shakespeare’s, there is an electrifying undercurrent to his stories that enthrals modern audiences. The gritty pubs of Soho become crucibles where hopes mingle with regret. According to data shared during the previous production’s run, nearly 90% of those surveyed mentioned the distinct period atmosphere as one of the show’s strongest draws. It’s that immersive quality—an authentic tapestry of smoky air, jazz-tinged tunes (courtesy of composer Terry Davies), and heartbreak-laden glances—that ensures every seat in the theatre feels like a prime spot at the bar.

For authenticity’s sake, Lez Brotherston’s set and costume designs deserve a standing ovation of their own. He painstakingly captures the modest elegance of 1930s tailoring and the worn surfaces of Soho’s pubs. Meanwhile, lighting by Paule Constable drapes each scene in dappled shadows, accentuating the piece’s central mood: loneliness lurking in warm corners, longing simmering beneath a veneer of camaraderie. Through a synergy of choreography, design, and narrative, THE MIDNIGHT BELL taps into that heady mix of romance and despair Hamilton was famous for.

A Deeper Look At Humanity’s Unseen Corners

Most dance productions are heavy on spectacle, but Bourne has always emphasised storytelling. In THE MIDNIGHT BELL, you’re not just witnessing leaps and lifts set to music; you’re peeling back layers of each character’s psyche. This is a show about ordinary people who tread the fine line between hope and heartbreak. There’s a poignancy to scenes where a dancer might be swirling alone by the bar, lost in thought while couples twirl in the background. Those fleeting moments, loaded with subtext, are why audiences find themselves spellbound.

Here’s a lesser-known angle to appreciate: the intricate way Bourne has woven Hamilton’s thematic threads into the dance vocabulary. Instead of relying purely on classical technique, he fuses everyday gestures—like adjusting one’s coat or clinging anxiously to a barstool—into the choreography. Small, almost pedestrian motions convey vulnerability and yearning, grounding the piece in the rawness of 1930s London. It’s a testament to Bourne’s artistry that he can transform a mundane gesture into a resonant emotional beat.

The Legacy Of An Award-Winning Innovator

Now, you might wonder how Matthew Bourne consistently lands in the upper echelons of the dance world. Let’s roll back the curtain a bit. He first captured global attention with his all-male corps de ballet in SWAN LAKE, which turned tradition on its head and ignited endless conversation. Ever since, each project—be it the sultry Play Without Words or the nostalgic THE RED SHOES—has been hailed as a vivid exploration of dance-theatre’s possibilities. Critics frequently note how accessible his works are: they speak to ballet aficionados and newcomers alike, bridging gaps between mainstream audiences and modern interpretative dance.

THE MIDNIGHT BELL continues that tradition, offering a storyline and characters as relatable as they are stylised. In a theatre world often enamoured with spectacle for spectacle’s sake, here is a production that invites you to step into the shoes of 1930s Londoners wrestling with shattered illusions and fleeting moments of joy. That sense of familiarity, perched atop an aesthetic vision straight out of an Edward Hopper painting, is precisely what has drawn so many theatre and dance enthusiasts to Bourne’s orbit.

Sipping On Surprises

Beyond the exhilarating performances and evocative settings, one of THE MIDNIGHT BELL’s greatest assets is its ability to sneak up on your emotions. You might enter expecting a dance show about people in old-fashioned attire sipping pints, only to find yourself grappling with the universal questions of human connection. Will the lonely bartender confess his adoration for the regular who never meets his gaze? Does that elegant socialite swirling on the dance floor feel as confident as she appears?

Such micro-narratives are part of what makes this production as layered as an art-house film. If there’s one thing that will surprise many, it’s the delicate interplay between haunting music, minimalistic set changes, and a cast that commits to every nuance. Lest we forget, Paule Constable’s lighting and Paul Groothuis’s sound design weave a world in which clinking glasses and murmured confessions echo through the theatre like distant echoes of the soul. These details don’t always make the headlines, but they’re the secret sauce that transforms a good night out into an unforgettable experience.

Raising a Glass to the Midnight Bell

Whenever I chat with fellow theatre buffs, I’m reminded that dance-theatre thrives on taking the ordinary and framing it in an extraordinary way. THE MIDNIGHT BELL does just that. It leads us into a bygone era, yet reveals truths about longing, heartbreak, and the tiny joys of everyday life that still ring true. Part of me is already picturing the hush that will fall over the crowd as the lights dim, the notes of Terry Davies’s score rising to set the stage for another night at that fateful Soho pub.

So if you’re pondering a theatre trip in 2025—or just happen to be nearby on one of those tour dates—make a beeline for THE MIDNIGHT BELL. This is more than a dance show; it’s an invitation to witness how masterful choreography can illuminate the hidden corners of the human heart. Every pirouette and passionate embrace you see on stage will remind you of life’s fragility, its rawness, and above all, its capacity for hope.

Because ultimately, dear reader, the best theatre doesn’t just entertain—it taps into our shared humanity. THE MIDNIGHT BELL will beckon you into a hazy, jazz-inflected world, where everyone’s yearning for something that glimmers just out of reach. And by the final blackout, you might find yourself raising an imaginary glass to all those who dare to dream, despite it all. Let the last echo of that curtain call linger, for it’s in that fleeting moment that theatre’s true magic resides.