Matthew Bourne's newly theatrical version of the ballet Swan Lake, a hit both in London and Los Angeles, will end its 17-week limited engagement at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre on Jan. 23, 1999. The show played 11 previews, and 124 regular performances, the longest running ballet in Broadway history.

Although the production did well with critics and audience members alike, Bourne's dance company, Adventures in Motion Pictures must return to London to begin rehearsals for their Cinderella which begins performances in March at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre.

If you didn't get a chance to see the flamboyant dance/theatre show on Broadway, there's good news. Bourne is currently auditioning dancers for a new American company of Swan Lake, which will begin a 40 week national tour in July. Specific dates, cities and venues are yet to be announced.

Not your traditional production of the classic ballet, Swan Lake features men dancing the swan roles usually assigned to ballerinas. Taking its cues more from musical theatre than ballet, the production has scenes in seedy clubs and boasts characters like "Pop Idol," "East End Gangsters," and "Pimp." Fitting with that background, the show is produced by famed musical producer, Cameron Mackintosh.

The "Adventures In Motion Pictures" troupe has made its reputation through subverting traditional dance forms with productions of The Nutcracker and Highland Fling (based on La Sylphide). The latter was revived by the company in London in February '98 following their Swan Lake engagement. Other pieces by the troupe include Does Your Crimplene Go All Crusty When You Rub? (1987-90) and The Percys Of Fitzrovia (1991-93). The company's London hit, their adaptation of Cinderella will play at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre, April 7 - May 23, 1999.