Channel 4 commissions Matthew Bourne film for Christmas

26 October 2011

Matthew Bourne

 

 

Channel 4 has commissioned independent production company Leopard Films, part of the Argonon Group, to make an hour-long special celebrating the work of Matthew Bourne, one of the UK's most popular and successful choreographer / directors.

For 25 years, Matthew Bourne has been setting theatres and audiences around the world alight with his adaptations of some of the world's best-known and loved ballets and operas. From Bizet's Carmen, imaginatively reset as a dance piece in an American garage, to the dazzling, award-winning Swan Lake, he has a string of critically-acclaimed hit shows that continue to tour worldwide.

This Christmas, to celebrate the world and work of Matthew Bourne, Channel 4 has commissioned a new dance film that will showcase Bourne's signature abilities to emotionally engage an audience.  Conceived by Bourne himself and directed by his long standing film collaborator and award-winning dance film director Ross MacGibbon, the piece will bring together graphics, animation, and 360 studio shooting to realise a distinctive new way of presenting dance on screen.

For those who know Bourne's stage work there will be a chance to spot extracts from many of his biggest hits but for audiences less familiar with his ballets this will simply be a journey through a series of magical worlds where stories are told through dance  

Matthew Bourne Christmas Special (w/t) (1x60) has been greenlit by Arts Commissioning Editor Tabitha Jackson, who said: "Channel 4 already has a great history of collaboration with Matthew in bringing his works to the screen. I have to admit that being able to work with him and Leopard in reimagining some of his best known pieces in an innovative way is essentially a huge Christmas present to myself."

Todd Austin, Chief Creative Officer for Leopard Films, part of the Argonon Group, said: "We're delighted to be working with Channel 4 on our latest collaboration with Matthew Bourne, consolidating Leopard Films' and Argonon's commitment to producing visually arresting, dramatic set-pieces."

Channel 4 and More4 are showcasing a number of dance ballet films over Christmas, including another chance to see Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, a new film from the Ballet Boyz, which follows them as they put together their new young male dance company ‘The Talent', as well as short dance films featuring in the new late-night arts strand, Random Acts.