Coronavirus: Matthew Bourne reveals ‘devastating impact’ of virus on his company

Matthew Bourne has spoken of the “devastating impact” the pandemic has had on dancers, stage management and crew who had worked for his company New Adventures, as he confirms the entire tour of The Red Shoes has been cancelled.

Bourne took to Instagram to confirm the national and international tour of the show had been cancelled. It had been due to finish in the UK in June, and would have continued into October in Asia.

“Unlike other large-scale UK dance companies, this has meant that most of our dancers, stage management and crew, who are all freelancers, are now without a job. Of course as a company, New Adventures aims to be positive and resourceful during this testing time, but I just wanted to acknowledge what a devastating impact this has had on the loyal, talented and generous people who have worked with me, some for many years now,” he said.

He added: “When we gave our last performance of The Red Shoes in Wimbledon on March 14, we had no idea we were dancing it for the last time and I think many of us involved in it have been grieving a bit ever since.”

However, New Adventures has announced a cinema screening of The Red Shoes has been rescheduled for September 30, with a repeat screening on October 4.

The company will also share a film made in isolation from the company of The Red Shoes via its digital initiative Reel Adventures.