Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance thriller The Car Man will return for a 2026 UK tour, including performances at Milton Keynes Theatre from 7 – 11 July.
Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera, Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire. The familiar 19th-century Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy 1950s garage-diner in the American Midwest, where the dreams and passions of a small town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome and enigmatic stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed,
lust, betrayal and revenge.
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 bisexual 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 revisit the hot and steamy town of Harmony USA – the best place to be next Summer!”
The title role of the magnetic Luca, “The Car Man”, will be played by Will Bozier and Harrison Dowzell, both former lead Swans in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, alongside New Adventures’ much-loved stars, Cordelia Braithwaite and Ashley Shaw as the alluring Lana. Rising stars, Leonardo McCorkindale and Harry Ondrak-Wright play the troubled misfit, Angelo, whilst Anna Maria de Freitas with Kurumi Kamayachi make their leading role debuts as Lana’s devoted sister, Rita. Danny Reubens and the original “Car Man” himself, Alan Vincent will portray Lana’s jealous husband, Dino.
Matthew Bourne said: “…it’s interesting to reflect on how iconic, unique and sought after the leading roles in this show have become since it was made in 2000. We are still the only company in the world to perform this production and yet the roles of Luca, Lana, Angelo, Rita and Dino have become as legendary as the show itself and a unique part of the UK dance landscape for several generations of young dancers. I’m proud that New Adventures never just “revives” a show; we re- invent, question and grow with each new cast which is why I’m so excited to revisit the small town of Harmony this summer and, much like Luca himself, shake things up a bit!”
THE CAR MAN was first seen in 2000, winning the Evening Standard Award for Musical Event of the Year and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Choreography. It was last seen in a unique revival for The Royal Albert Hall’s 150th Birthday in 2022. This expanded production received rave reviews and nightly standing ovations. However, this will be the first time The Car Man has toured since 2015.
Performances run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 7 – Sat 11 Jul 2026. Tickets are available now.
For further information and to book tickets, visit ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.
LISTINGS
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man
Performances: Tue 7 – Sat 11 Jul 2026
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
