Fasten your seat belts. Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance-thriller The Car Man is back, bringing a scorching tale of passion, greed, and betrayal to Norwich Theatre Royal between 29 Sep – 3 Oct.
If you are looking to learn a little bit more about the story, you have come to the right place! Here is everything you need to know about New Adventures’ sultry, noir-inspired production.
Plot
It is a hot summer day in 1960s Harmony, USA, but the quiet routine of Alfano’s Garage and Diner is about to change with the arrival of Luca, a handsome drifter. He instantly ignites the passions, envy and suspicions of the town.
Luca enters into a fiery affair with Lana, the wife of the overbearing garage owner Dino. Desperate to escape, the lovers plot a deadly betrayal. Meanwhile, the mild-mannered handyman Angelo finds himself drawn into Luca’s orbit, only to be framed for a crime he didn’t commit. What follows is a dark story of lust, prison escapes, guilt and revenge where no one emerges unscarred.
The music
The music was adapted and arranged by composer Terry Davies, and it heavily features Rodion Shchedrin’s famous Carmen Suite, which is itself based on Georges Bizet’s classic 1875 opera Carmen.
Instead of traditional Spanish castanets and bullrings, the rhythms of the Habanera and the Toreador Song are reimagined to match the hum of engine parts and the clink of diner glasses.
You will definitely recognise some of the melodies from Bizet’s Carmen, which feature in adverts and films.
Bourne’s signature storytelling
If you haven’t seen a Matthew Bourne production before, you are in for a treat. He is renowned for taking classic stories and turning them into vivid, theatrical spectacles.
This show is no different, with the storytelling relying on physicality, contemporary dance, and cinematic-style acting. Every character has a distinct personality expressed through movement, from the heavy, aggressive posturing of the mechanics to the intense, sensual choreography between Luca and Lana.
Some history
First premiered in 2000, The Car Man quickly became one of New Adventures’ signature works, winning several awards.
The production takes its name from a clever play on Bizet’s Carmen, but its plot borrows heavily from classic American noir literature and film; most notably The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Did you know?
- The set is a star of the show. Set and costume designer Lez Brotherston created an authentic, grime-stained auto-repair shop complete with vintage cars, lifting ramps, and greasy tools that the dancers constantly interact with.
- It tackles darker themes. The Car Man carries a film rating comparable to that of a thriller due to its realistic depictions of violence, passion, and betrayal.
- Bizet never saw his music become a hit. Georges Bizet died thinking Carmen was a failure.
About New Adventures
New Adventures is an iconic and groundbreaking British dance-theatre company, famous for telling stories with a unique theatrical twist. Founded by Sir Matthew Bourne, the company has spent over 30 years changing the popularity of dance in the UK and worldwide with shows like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Edward Scissorhands.
Known for storytelling that appeals to avid dance fans and first-timers alike, New Adventures brings energy and flair to every story they tell.
