A New Adventures Classic Returns to the Stage
New Adventures has announced the return of Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man, one of the most iconic dance thrillers in British theatre. The multi-award-winning production will embark on an exciting UK tour in 2026, opening at Curve, Leicester on 15 June 2026, before visiting 16 venues nationwide, including a five-week summer run at Sadler’s Wells in London.
Loosely inspired by Bizet’s opera Carmen, The Car Man transforms the classic 19th-century story into a gripping 1950s American garage-diner setting, where passions, jealousy, and betrayal collide. Set in the fictional town of Harmony, USA, this sultry and cinematic reimagining is filled with energy, tension, and unforgettable dance sequences.
The production features a powerful score by Terry Davies and Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite, after Bizet’s original music. The creative team includes lighting design by Chris Davey, sound by Paul Groothuis, and set design by Lez Brotherston, bringing Bourne’s signature storytelling to life.
A Dance Thriller That Redefined British Theatre
Matthew Bourne said:
“I never dreamed when we created this show at the beginning of the new millennium that it would still be around, thrilling audiences, 25 years later! Inspired by vintage movie film noir classics, it holds a unique and special place in the New Adventures repertory as the only piece based on an opera and possibly the first ballet to feature a bi-sexual anti-hero! I’m particularly happy that we are taking the show ‘on the road’ again after more than 10 years and I can’t wait to re-visit the hot and steamy town of Harmony USA – the best place to be next Summer!”
First performed in 2000, The Car Man won the Evening Standard Award for Musical Event of the Year and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Choreography. It was most recently revived in 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall for the venue’s 150th anniversary, earning rave reviews and nightly standing ovations.
This will be the first full UK tour of The Car Man since 2015, marking a major moment for fans of Matthew Bourne, New Adventures, and contemporary dance theatre.
With its darkly sensual storytelling, electrifying choreography, and powerful score, The Car Man continues to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of what modern dance and theatre can achieve.
photo credit: Johan Persson
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