Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is a beautiful twist on the classic story by Tchaikovsky - a dazzling display of drama, power and comedy while maintaining the elegance of traditional ballet.

The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury was packed for opening night, as the show continues its 30th anniversary tour.

First performed in 1995, it was considered revolutionary at the time and still feels as fresh and modern three decades on.

It was a stunning performance by every single dancer, with unexpectedly funny characters and moments bringing the story to life for a contemporary audience.

The iconic music draws you into the world of Swan Lake as the dancers fly silently across the stage and weave through scenes with mind-blowing accuracy.

Matthew Bourne has created a masterpiece that replaces the usual female swans with male dancers, who bring a darker energy to the creatures.

It was mesmerising to watch the power and strength on show by the male swans, who possessed a masculine energy and seemed to move and breathe as one on stage.

As well as being beautiful and elegant, they are also fierce and feral, and at times terrifying.

One of the great things about this production is the use of more modern dance styles to complement the traditional ballet steps.

This is particularly evident in the club scene, where the ensemble goes through a mix of ballet, jazz and ballroom-type dance sequences as the story unfolds.

There are also plenty of opportunities to show off the classic techniques, especially in the opera scene, where the comedic facial expressions and exaggerated movements of the cast reveal the ability of self-mockery for the genre.

The costumes and set, designed by Lez Brotherston, bring colour and add drama to the performance - transporting the audience to the prince’s bedroom, a city park and a royal ball.

Animations and silhouettes are also cleverly used to introduce a mystical element and add charm to the story.

It is easy to see why this spectacular and captivating performance of Swan Lake inspired a new generation of dancers, particularly young men.

If you have never seen a ballet before, this is definitely the perfect one to start with and, if you are a ballet fan, it is an absolute must-see.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is on at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury until Saturday, May 3. You can book tickets online here.

You can also book tickets by calling 01227 787787.