Dance review: Lord of the Flies

MATTHEW Bourne has never been afraid to stick his neck out. With this latest venture, however, Britain's favourite choreographer could easily have lost his head. Known for such award-winning productions as the all-male Swan Lake and deliciously sweet Nutcracker!, Bourne wandered down an entirely different path for his latest work, Lord of the Flies.

Instead of relying on a cast of professional dancers to bring his vision to life, 15 of the 23 male performers was drawn from schools, youth groups and colleges. And although Bourne's team spent a year in Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire, holding workshops and taster sessions, the actual production was constructed in just two weeks. A remarkable achievement by any standards, but even more so when you consider that some of the boys had never been inside a theatre before, let alone performed in one.

Yet somehow, Bourne and his fellow creators have managed to pull together something rather wonderful. William Golding's dark tale of adolescent friendship, hierarchy and violence lends itself perfectly to the situation. Although here the action takes place in a deserted theatre rather than island – the hunter gatherers returning triumphant with ice cream and juice cartons, and a drum mallet replacing the original conch.

The dramatic score, and clever set, costume and lighting design – all produced by Bourne's usual team – helped elevate the show from education project to professional production. Something the young cast clearly responded to, and both they and Bourne can be rightly proud of the entire experience.