Sir Matthew Bourne OBE

Sir Matthew Bourne OBE is now one of the most celebrated choreographers of his generation.

He trained at Trinity Laban (then the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance) from 1982 to 1985, a formative period that shaped his distinctive theatrical approach to choreography and storytelling.

After graduating, Bourne danced for several independent companies before turning to choreography full-time. In 1987, he co-founded Adventures in Motion Pictures, the company that later evolved into New Adventures, with which he created groundbreaking reinterpretations of classic ballet, and work covering contemporary dance, dance theatre, and musical theatre. His all-male Swan Lake (1995) became a global phenomenon, winning both Olivier and Tony Awards and broadening the possibilities of narrative ballet.

Bourne has continued to innovate through works such as Edward Scissorhands, The Car Man, Cinderella, and The Red Shoes. His productions are praised for their emotional clarity, cinematic staging, and accessibility to audiences unfamiliar with dance. 

Awarded a knighthood in 2019 for services to dance, as well as receiving the Freedom of the City of London in 2025, Bourne remains one of Trinity Laban’s most influential alumni.